USMNT World Cup opponents 2026: Final Group D team set with Türkiye win

Apr 1, 2026 - 00:30

PRISTINA, KOSOVO - MARCH 31: Kerem Aktuerkoglu of Turkiye celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Kosovo and Türkiye at Fadil Vokkri Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo. (Photo by Armando Babani - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images

With 72 days to go until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the US Men’s National Team finally knows who will be their third and final Group D opponent.

In one of the four European playoff matches to decide the remaining World Cup spots, a 55th minute goal from Türkiye’s Kerem Aktürkoglu was enough to secure a 1-0 away win over Kosovo to deny the hosts their first ever World Cup berth. It was a mishit shot from Orkun Kokcu that fell kindly into Aktürkoglu’s path at the back post for one of the biggest goals in his country’s history.

TÜRKIYE TAKES THE LEAD IN THE SECOND HALF OVER KOSOVO 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/xjacCv6dz6— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026

A rare World Cup appearance for Türkiye

This is only the third World Cup for Türkiye and their first since 2002, when they made a surprise run to the semifinals before being knocked out by eventual champions Brazil. They still left the tournament on a high note by beating co-hosts South Korea in the third-place game.

Their only other World Cup trip was in 1954, when they failed to win a game and exited the group stage in what was a 16-team format back then.

Türkiye are coming off a memorable Euro 2024 performance

Türkiye have qualified for each of the last three European Championships, reaching the quarterfinals at Euro 2024 in Germany after group stage wins over Georgia and Czechia, followed by a thrilling Round of 16 victory over Austria after one of the greatest saves you’ll ever see from goalkeeper Mert Gunok. Their journey ended with a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the last eight, but their aggressive, attack-minded approach made for highly entertaining games.

Türkiye recently defeated the United States in a friendly

This will be the first time the Turks have played the Americans in the World Cup, but they have faced each other in more recent times. The US lost 2-1 in a friendly last June after Jack McGlynn’s opening minute goal was wiped out by quick replies from Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and the Fenerbahçe-based Aktürkoglu. Several of the projected first-team players for the USMNT did not play, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Antonee Robinson.

Of the four previous meetings between the US and Türkiye, two were pre-World Cup friendlies in 2010 and 2014, with the Americans winning both matches 2-1 at home. Their lone international competitive match was way back in 2003 at the defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, which Türkiye won—you guessed it—2-1.

Where are Türkiye ranked in the FIFA rankings?

Türkiye are 22nd in the latest rankings, six spots behind the USA. Of the four European Path C teams, Türkiye were the highest ranked squad and are the highest ranked opponent the Americans will face in Group D. Australia are 27th while Paraguay are the lowest ranked at 41st.