The USMNT’s Group D Closer at SoFi Stadium
USA vs Türkiye at SoFi Stadium on June 25 closes Group D Matchday 3. Pulisic meets Güler. Tactics, lineups, predictions.
- June 25, 2026 Thursday
- SoFi Stadium
- Kick-Off 10:00 PM
The USMNT return to SoFi to close Group D.
The home tournament’s emotional arc continues. The USMNT opened against Paraguay at SoFi, played Australia in Seattle, and now return to SoFi to close Group D against Türkiye — possibly the most tactically refined opponent in their group. Arda Güler. Hakan Çalhanoğlu. A young European squad with elite individual quality.
For the USMNT, this is the chance to seal Group D top spot. For Türkiye, this is essentially must-win to keep tournament hopes alive.
A showdown of opportunity and urgency.
Everything you need at kickoff
- Date
- Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Kickoff (USA)
- 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
- Venue
- SoFi Stadium Inglewood, California
- Group
- Group D USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
- Stage
- Group D — Matchday 3
- Capacity
- Up to 100,000 (expanded)
For the USMNT, sealing Group D top spot; for Türkiye, extending their tournament
For the USMNT, this likely seals Group D top spot. For Türkiye, the chance to extend their tournament.
Five narratives defining the USMNT’s home Group D closer
Pulisic on home soil to close the group
Captain America.
Arda Güler’s tournament audition
Real Madrid creator.
Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical project
Settled.
The home tournament’s continued narrative
USMNT pressure.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s prime years
Inter Milan metronome.
Tale of the tape
USMNT’s two previous group matches will have shaped tactical reality.
Türkiye’s previous group matches will have revealed tactical urgency.
A 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid emphasizing pressing intensity.
A 4-2-3-1 around Güler’s freedom.
Inswinging corners.
Çalhanoğlu deliveries.
- Christian Pulisic (captain)
- Tyler Adams (defensive midfielder)
- Weston McKennie (box-to-box)
- Yunus Musah (press-resistant)
- Folarin Balogun (striker)
- Arda Güler (creator)
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (metronome)
- Kerem Aktürkoğlu (winger)
- Çağlar Söyüncü (center back)
- Center-forward consistency
- Set-piece defending
- Defensive distribution under high pressure
- Defensive transitions
- Squad pace at center-back
- Tournament mentality
USMNT pressing vs Türkiye’s technical possession
USMNT pressing vs Türkiye’s technical possession.
Key questions
Can Pulisic isolate Türkiye’s right back?
Can Güler escape USMNT pressing?
Who wins midfield duels?
The names that decide it
Captain.
Box arriver.
Anchor.
Goal-scorer.
Pacey.
Creator.
Metronome.
Direct.
Defensive leader.
Premier League-honed.
Rising Stars & Breakout Candidates
USA: Younger American attackers may emerge.
Türkiye: Süper Lig products pushing.
The USMNT’s home tournament, Türkiye’s 2002 third place — and a first World Cup meeting
Limited shared history
USA and Türkiye have not previously met at a World Cup.
The USMNT home tournament
Historic.
Türkiye’s 2002 third place
Their high-water mark.
SoFi Stadium tournament prominence
Multiple high-profile matches.
The Premier League factor
Multiple Premier League regulars in both squads.
LA’s diaspora and American Outlaws supporter culture continue
LA’s diaspora and American Outlaws supporter culture continue.
Fantasy & Betting Angle — informational only
Pulisic anytime contribution: elite fantasy.
Güler key contribution: elite upside.
Both teams to score: plausible.
A wildcard: Çalhanoğlu set-piece goal.
Play responsibly.
Best guess at kickoff
Lineups based on previous matchday performances.
Christian Pulisic scores a hat-trick at home.
The USMNT captain delivers a career-defining performance on home soil.
One Player Nobody Is Talking About
Tyler Adams. USMNT’s anchor will quietly shut down Türkiye’s midfield combinations.
USMNT take the lead through Pulisic. Türkiye equalize through Güler. Balogun scores the winner from a set piece. Man of the match: Christian Pulisic.
The USMNT close Group D at home — the country is watching
The USMNT close Group D at home. The country is watching. The football should be tactical.
The result likely sealed.