USMNT, Christian Pulisic Lose to Turkey in Final Group Stage Match

The United States men's national team (USMNT) finished the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a loss to Turkey, concluding with a score of 3-2. The match took place at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2026, as Turkey scored a late winning goal from Kaan Ayhan deep into second-half stoppage time. Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter scored for the USMNT, while Christian Pulisic made a return from a calf injury, stepping onto the field in the 58th minute.

Turkey struggled in the tournament with two prior defeats, but head coach Vincenzo Montella opted for changes that saw the team perform more effectively against the USMNT. The return of Zeki Celik and Ozan Kabak, who anchored the back line, allowed Turkey to handle the U.S. attack better than in previous matches. Arda Güler, given more freedom in midfield, scored a goal to equalize and also had a hand in Turkey's other goals, showing a marked improvement in his role.

Despite the loss, USMNT's journey in the tournament is set to continue, as they qualified for the knockout stage in first place in Group D. They are scheduled to play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on July 1 at Levi's Stadium in California. Weston McKennie expressed optimism about the upcoming match, indicating that the team still holds momentum despite the defeat. He underlined the importance of Pulisic's presence on the field, stating that he adds unique qualities that help the team create opportunities.

Meanwhile, Auston Trusty, recovering from a late ankle scare, noted that the team had several opportunities during the match, emphasizing the need for better finishing. Although Turkey had only nine shots, they capitalized on their chances effectively, and the U.S. defense's vulnerability was raised as a concern after this match.

Overall, even after this setback, the USMNT remains focused on their goal of advancing further in the tournament with their next match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.