The USA face Türkiye at Los Angeles Stadium in the early hours of Friday morning, already through as Group D winners and targeting an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup victory.
Mauricio Pochettino has made clear his ambition despite the freedom to rotate. The USMNT have won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 1930, and a third straight win would give Pochettino more victories as a manager at this tournament than any American coach in history, surpassing Bruce Arena and Robert Millar’s mark of two.
USA team news
Pochettino confirmed publicly on Wednesday that the four players carrying yellow cards — Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson — will not start. Risking suspension ahead of the round of 32 fixture on 1 July is not an option.
Christian Pulisic, sidelined with a left calf complaint since being withdrawn at half-time against Paraguay, has returned to full training and is nearing fitness. He will not start, though a controlled cameo from the bench has not been ruled out.
Cristian Roldan is carrying a muscle strain and is day-to-day. Matt Freese continues in goal, having impressed throughout the group stage. Joe Scally covers at right back, with Max Arfsten on the left.
Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie form the central defensive partnership in place of Richards. Sebastian Berhalter and Weston McKennie anchor the midfield, with Giovanni Reyna providing the creative threat in the absence of Pulisic.
Tim Weah and Alejandro Zendejas, who can become the first Mexican-born player to feature for the US in a World Cup match this century, provide width. Ricardo Pepi leads the line in place of Balogun, having started against Australia and played 74 minutes.
USA predicted lineup
USA possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Freese; Scally, McKenzie, Trusty, Arfsten; Berhalter, McKennie; Weah, Reyna, Zendejas; Pepi
When will the match kick off?
The FIFA World Cup group match kicks off at 03:00 BST on Friday, 26 June 2026.
How to watch Türkiye vs USA?
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.
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