Turkey vs USA Prediction. Eliminated Turkey face co-hosts USA at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on Friday, 26 June 2026 (02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT). USA are through with a perfect six points and need only a draw for Group D top spot. Turkey have failed to score in two matches. Pulisic rests. Our prediction: over 1.5 goals. Full analysis, team news, line-ups, and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group D, Match Day 3 |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 26 June 2026 at 02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Group D standings | After Match Day 2: USA 6pts, Australia 3pts, Paraguay 3pts, Turkey 0pts (eliminated) |
| Stakes | USA want group top spot. Turkey play for pride — first goal of the tournament their primary target. |
| Simultaneous match | Australia vs Paraguay — second and third place still to be decided. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
USA’s perfect campaign vs Turkey’s pride
The USA have been one of the tournament’s most compelling stories. Co-hosts on a wave of home support, Mauricio Pochettino’s side beat Paraguay 4-1 on Match Day 1 and followed it with a vital 2-1 win over Australia on Match Day 2. Six points from two matches, four goals scored, one conceded. They need only a draw here to confirm Group D top spot.
The biggest team news is the expected absence of Christian Pulisic, who is managing a calf injury and is expected to rest ahead of the knockout stage. Ricardo Pepi started alongside Folarin Balogun in the Australia win and is likely to keep his place. Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie provide width and energy from the flanks.
Turkey’s campaign represents one of the tournament’s deepest underperformances. Returning to the World Cup after a 24-year absence, they arrived with genuine expectations after an eight-game unbeaten pre-tournament run. Two defeats, three goals conceded, and — most alarmingly — zero goals scored in 180 minutes.
Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz have shown individual moments of quality but have been unable to translate that into goals. Hakan Çalhanoglu retains his midfield role. Akturkoglu is likely to be benched having failed to contribute from consecutive starts. With nothing to lose, Turkey may be more expansive here — and that could finally produce their first goal of the tournament.
Team news
Turkey: Güler and Yildiz retained. Çalhanoglu in midfield. Akturkoglu likely benched. Playing for pride; more open attacking approach expected.
USA: Pulisic expected to rest (calf injury). Balogun and Pepi up front. McKennie in midfield. Dest and Robinson at full-back.
| Turkey (4-2-3-1) | USA (4-3-3) |
| Çakır (GK) | Turner (GK) |
| Kadioglu (RB) | Dest (RB) |
| Demiral (CB) | Richards (CB) |
| Bardıkçı (CB) | Ream (CB) |
| Celik (LB) | Robinson (LB) |
| Çalhanoglu (DM) | McKennie (CM) |
| Yoksel (DM) | Musah (CM) |
| Güler (RW) | Reyna (CM) |
| Yildiz (AM) | Weah (RW) |
| Kokcu (LW) | Balogun (ST) |
| Akturkoglu/Altıntop (ST) | Pepi (LW) |
Key stats
- USA: 6pts from 2 matches. Beat Paraguay 4-1 (MD1), beat Australia 2-1 (MD2).
- USA: co-hosts. Knocked out in the round of 16 at Qatar 2022. Targeting deeper run this time.
- USA form (last 5): W W L W L.
- Folarin Balogun: scored vs Paraguay. Likely to start.
- Ricardo Pepi: started vs Australia alongside Balogun.
- Christian Pulisic: calf injury — expected to rest. Confirm status before kick-off.
- Turkey: 0pts from 2 matches. Lost Australia 0-2 (MD1), lost Paraguay 1-2 (MD2). Eliminated.
- Turkey: 0 goals scored in 2 World Cup matches despite heavy shot volumes.
- Turkey form (last 5): L L W W W — entered the tournament on an 8-game unbeaten run.
- Arda Güler: individual quality not translating to goals. Expected to start.
- Kenan Yildiz: retained. Playing for pride.
- Hakan Çalhanoglu: midfield anchor for Turkey.
- H2H (last 5): Turkey W2 D1 USA W2. Most recent: Turkey 1-2 USA (7 June 2025).
- Group D standings (after MD2): USA 6 pts, Australia 3 pts, Paraguay 3 pts, Turkey 0 pts.
Head-to-head
Turkey and USA have met five times previously, with both sides winning twice and one draw. Their most recent encounter was a 1-2 USA win in June 2025. The record is evenly split over time.
| Date | Result |
| 7 June 2025 | USA 1–2 Turkey (Turkey won) |
| 1 June 2014 | USA 2–1 Turkey (USA won) |
| 29 May 2010 | USA 2–1 Turkey (USA won) |
| 19 June 2003 | Turkey 2–1 USA (Turkey won) |
| 4 September 1991 | Turkey 1–1 USA (Draw) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Turkey | L L W W W — 0 goals in 2 WC matches |
| USA | W W L W L — won both group stage matches |
Our prediction
USA enter as strong favourites with the motivation of securing top spot and a more favourable knockout draw. Even without Pulisic, the depth of Pepi, Balogun, McKennie, and Reyna gives them the firepower to create multiple chances.
Turkey’s nothing-to-lose status could actually lead to a more open, attack-minded performance that finally produces their first tournament goal. Güler and Yildiz have shown enough quality that a breakthrough feels inevitable. That attacking freedom from both sides — USA seeking top spot, Turkey seeking consolation — points to a match with goals at both ends.
Our prediction: over 1.5 goals.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0500 hrs UTC on 26/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Turkey vs USA event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Turkey vs USA kick off?
Kick-off is at 02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT on Friday, 26 June 2026, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Is Turkey already eliminated from World Cup 2026?
Yes. Turkey were eliminated after losing both of their opening two matches without scoring a single goal. They lost 2-0 to Australia and 2-1 to Paraguay, conceding three and failing to find the net in 180 minutes.
Is Christian Pulisic playing for USA vs Turkey?
Pulisic is expected to rest with a calf injury ahead of the knockout stages. Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun are expected to continue up front. Confirm Pulisic’s status in the official line-up before publish.
Can USA still claim Group D top spot?
Yes. USA currently top Group D with six points and need only a draw in this match to confirm first place, regardless of the Australia vs Paraguay result. A win guarantees it outright.
What is Turkey’s best ever World Cup performance?
Turkey’s best World Cup result was a third-place finish at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. They defeated Senegal in the third-place play-off and beat hosts Japan in the group stage. This remains their only other World Cup appearance prior to 2026.
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