Turkey vs USA World Cup 2026 Tips - 26 June
Turkey vs USA FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D tips. Kickoff 04:00 SAST Friday 26 June at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles. Our picks, form, H2H and best odds.
- Turkey vs USA kicks off at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles at 04:00 SAST on Friday 26 June 2026, with the co-hosts already confirmed as Group D winners.
- Turkey are eliminated after back-to-back losses to Australia and Paraguay, and have yet to score at this tournament, while the USA racked up six points from six with a 4-1 and 2-0.
- We back USA to win, Both Teams to Score, and Over 2.5 Goals, with Turkey's freed-up attacking talent likely to finally get on the scoresheet in this pressure-free finale.
Turkey arrive at SoFi Stadium already eliminated, but do not write them off as a pushover. The USA have wrapped up Group D with maximum points, yet Vincenzo Montella's side carry genuine quality in Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and captain Hakan Calhanoglu and will want to salvage some pride. We back the co-hosts to win in front of their own crowd, and we see enough attacking intent from both sides to land Both Teams to Score.
The Pick Card
Prices from Hollywoodbets, Betway and Easybet. 18+. T&Cs apply.
| Selection | Bookmaker | Odds | Stake | Operator CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA to Win | Hollywoodbets | @2.00 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Both Teams to Score - Yes | Betway | @1.70 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Easybet | @1.82 | 2 Units | Bet here |
The Form Line
Turkey endured a difficult group stage on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. They opened with a 2-0 defeat to Australia in Vancouver, then fell 1-0 to Paraguay in Santa Clara despite dominating possession in both matches. Critically, they have yet to score at this tournament, leaving Montella under pressure to get his attacking talent firing in this dead-rubber finale.
The USA, by contrast, have been the story of Group D. Mauricio Pochettino's hosts opened with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Christian Pulisic pulling the strings throughout. A 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle confirmed first place in the group with a game to spare, meaning this clash at SoFi Stadium is essentially a free hit for the co-hosts.
Head to Head
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | International Friendly | USA 1-2 Turkey |
| 2010s | Various Friendlies | Series level (2 wins each from 5 meetings) |
The H2H record across five senior meetings is perfectly level, with each side claiming two wins and one draw. Most notably, Turkey beat the USA 2-1 in a June 2025 friendly, with Arda Guler and Kerem Akturkoglu scoring inside the first half. That result and the general parity in the record mean history does not swing things decisively in either direction.
Team News
Turkey have Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) and captain Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) all available and expected to start. Guler has had three shots on target across the two group games but has been unable to convert, while Yildiz finished the club season with 11 goals and nine assists at Juventus. No confirmed absentees have been reported ahead of kick-off, though fitness of certain fringe players (TBC).
For the USA, Weston McKennie has been central to the midfield press that has powered their campaign, while Balogun leads the attack with two goals already to his name. Pulisic was influential against Paraguay but his involvement and minutes are being managed as Pochettino eyes the knockout rounds. No significant injuries confirmed at the time of writing.
Verdict
The USA carry the momentum and the crowd in their home ground, and we expect Pochettino's men to claim the win even if he rotates. Turkey's attacking quality is real, and playing without pressure may finally allow Guler and Yildiz to express themselves, which is why Both Teams to Score looks the value pick of the card. A high-energy, open game with three goals or more is well within reach given both sides' attacking output and Turkey's need to get off the mark.
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