Türkiye ends World Cup campaign with win over US

LOS ANGELES

Türkiye ended its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-2 win over co-host the United States in its final Group D match, despite having already been eliminated from the tournament.

Kaan Ayhan scored the winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, giving Türkiye and Vincenzo Montella its first victory of the competition.

The U.S. had taken an early lead through Auston Trusty in the third minute, but Türkiye responded with goals from Arda Güler in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü in the 31st.

Sebastian Berhalter brought the U.S. level in the 49th minute, before Ayhan struck late to seal the win.

Türkiye had lost its opening match 2-0 to Australia before a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay ended its hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The national team finished Group D with three points from three matches.

Arda Güler’s goal was Türkiye’s first at a World Cup in 24 years. At 21 years and 120 days, he also became the youngest Turkish player to score in the tournament, passing Emre Belözoğlu’s mark from the 2002 World Cup.

Türkiye has now played 13 matches across three World Cup appearances, recording six wins, one draw and six defeats.

The U.S. remained on six points despite the loss and finished top of Group D. It will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.