It’s been a perfect start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for US Men’s National Team. Six points through two games, and the winner of Group D. Now it’s the United States vs Turkiye. A Turkiye side that are without points, and have yet to score a goal, for the finale of group stage play. The United States is expected to heavily rotate it’s XI for this “dead rubber” of a clash.
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United States vs Turkiye
Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2026
Venue: Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles
Kick Off: 22:00 in USA East Coast Time
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal
Current Odds: United States 1.91, Draw 4.10, Turkiye 3.50
United States Team News
The USA has scored six goals and conceded just one in matches against Paraguay and Australia. Mauricio Pochettino’s men return to the scene of their rampant victory over Paraguay, Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles for a game with far lower stakes. Much like Mexico, team USA has the option to heavily rotate their XI for this game, with group leadership secured.
ESPN notes that Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, four key players for the USA, are on yellow cards. Christian Pulisic was injured against Australia, and may see minutes off the bench.
In short, we should see a heavily rotated Stars and Stripes XI, expect Alejandro Zendejas and Giovanni Reyna to get midfield minutes, Ricardo Pepi could be the starter at the striker role, and Auston Trusty would get minutes in the back.
Turkiye Team News
Turkiye are playing only for pride here after they were stifled offensively by both Australia and Paraguay and left without a point, or a goal, after two games. It’s been bad luck, and poor finishing for Turkiye, a side that entered with high expectations but has crashed out of the tournament under Vincenzo Montella. On the plus side, they did win a friendly against the US last year, and if they avoid being too demoralized, they do have enough talent in the XI to compete with the stars and stripes.
There are not likely to be drastic changes to this Turkiye XI, despite the offensive struggles, Kenan Yildiz has seemingly recovered from any lingering concerns about a calf strain.
United States Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Matt Freese
Defenders: Max Arsften, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally
Midfield: Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Alejandro Zendejas, Giovanni Reyna
Forwards: Ricardo Pepi, Timothy Weah
Turkiye Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Ugurcan Cakir
Defenders: Mert Muldur, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakci. Ferdi Kadioglu
Midfield: Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek, Yunus Akgun,
Forwards: Kerem Akturkoglu, Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
