USA suffer late defeat to Turkey but eye Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout stage

By Arjun Nair / 26.06.2026

By Arjun Nair — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

The United States men’s national team experienced a late defeat against Turkey in their final World Cup Group D match. Despite the loss, the USA had already secured the top spot in their group and will advance to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. The match, held at Los Angeles Stadium, saw Turkey secure a 3-2 victory with a goal in the final seconds.

The USA started strongly, with Auston Trusty scoring in the third minute from a corner kick, giving them an early lead. However, Turkey responded with two goals in the first half. Arda Güler equalized in the 10th minute, followed by Orkun Kökçü’s goal in the 31st minute, putting Turkey ahead. This marked the first time the USA had trailed in the tournament.

Sebastian Berhalter brought the USA level just after half-time with a volley. The team created additional opportunities to alter the outcome of the game. Christian Pulisic, returning from a calf injury, entered the match as a substitute and showed promise, with two chances narrowly missing the target. One sequence in the 63rd minute saw his deflected effort hit the crossbar, and Weston McKennie’s follow-up shot was blocked.

Late Drama and Squad Rotation

The decisive moment came in the final seconds of the match. Kaan Ayhan scored in the 98th minute, securing the 3-2 win for Turkey. This late goal changed the atmosphere in the stadium and among the USA team.

For the USA, this match was considered a dead rubber as their progression to the knockout stage was already confirmed. Coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to rotate his squad almost entirely, with Weston McKennie being the only player to retain his starting position from previous games against Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino’s options were also limited due to a quad injury to Cristian Roldan, who missed training throughout the week.

The USA’s defensive setup in this match reverted to a more traditional flat back four, a formation that had previously been exploited by Belgium in a 5-2 friendly loss in March and had caused difficulties for the team in 2025. This defensive vulnerability was evident in Turkey’s goals, particularly Güler’s equalizer, which capitalized on a scattered backline.

Pulisic’s Return and Future Outlook

Christian Pulisic’s return from a calf injury was a notable positive for the USA, despite the team’s defeat. He entered the match in the 58th minute, replacing Timothy Weah, and displayed sharpness, contributing to the team’s attacking efforts. His presence on the field is seen as a boost for the upcoming knockout stage matches.

McKennie commented on the defeat, stating that it would serve as additional motivation for the team. He emphasized the belief in all 26 players on the roster to contribute and perform. McKennie also highlighted Pulisic’s ability to create opportunities and expressed optimism about seeing him play again in San Francisco.

The USA team has consistently emphasized collective accountability and the importance of all players contributing. The lessons learned from this defeat are expected to collectively sharpen the mindset of both first-choice and second-choice players as they prepare for the challenges of the World Cup knockout rounds. The USA will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on Thursday, July 2.

Source: theguardian.com