The United States face Turkey on Friday in the final Group D matchday, kicking off at 4am CEST from Los Angeles. The USMNT, already qualified, pursue an unbeaten record and top-spot confirmation. Simultaneously in San Francisco, Australia and Paraguay, both on three points, battle for the group’s second qualifying berth; a loss might mean elimination. Follow our liveblog to see how it unfolds.
At last! Arda Güler finally finds the back of the net for Turkey’s first goal in this tournament. A moment of miscommunication in the American defense and Turkey capitalise. Yilmaz delivers a precise cross from the right flank. The Real Madrid forward rises and fires inside the right post from the box
Suffocating American pressure
Turkey find themselves under relentless siege. Team USA’s intensity is suffocating with constant pressing and rapid transitions while the Turkish defense is disorganized.
GOAL USA!!!
Early breakthrough for the Americans. Trusty’s opportunism punishes Turkish defensive lethargy just three minutes in.
Off we go!
And it’s time for the anthem
Turkish national anthem, İstiklâl Marşı (the Independence March), rings out across Los Angeles.
Then The Star-Spangled Banner fills the LA stadium.
The Americans, already qualified with a perfect record, pursue an unbeaten group stage and top-spot confirmation. Turkey, eliminated, fight for pride. Meanwhile, Australia and Paraguay – locked on three points -battle for the second qualifying spot; a loss means going home.
Hello and welcome
Hello everyone. Welcome to France 24’s live coverage of Group D’s final matchday at the FIFA World Cup 2026. We’re tracking two simultaneous kickoffs at 04:00 CEST this Friday – USA vs Turkey from Los Angeles, and Paraguay vs Australia from San Francisco.
The USA face Turkey on Friday in the third and final Group D matchday of the World Cup, kicking off at 4am CEST from Los Angeles. The USMNT, already assured of knockout qualification with two consecutive victories, pursue an immaculate group-stage record and top-spot confirmation.
Turkey, mathematically eliminated after two defeats, seek to salvage pride and a respectable exit. Simultaneously across San Francisco, Australia and Paraguay, both locked on three points, battle for the group’s second qualifying berth. A loss for either spells tournament elimination.
