World Cup what to know: U.S. faces decisions for final group-stage game against winless Turkey

By — John Marshall, Associated Press John Marshall, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/world-cup-what-to-know-u-s-faces-decisions-for-final-group-stage-game-against-winless-turkey Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter World Cup what to know: U.S. faces decisions for final group-stage game against winless Turkey World Jun 25, 2026 12:21 PM EDT The United States returns to the pitch for its final World Cup group-stage game with some decisions to make. The Americans have already won Group D to lock up a spot in the knockout stage and will face winless Turkey in Inglewood, California, on Thursday. WATCH: U.S. advances to World Cup knockout round after win against Australia Christian Pulisic returned to training after missing a 2-0 win over Australia, but coach Mauricio Pochettino has to decide how much to use his star player in a game that's meaningless in the standings and the knockout stage right around the corner. There are similar decisions to make with Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. They're all on yellow cards and would miss the first knockout round game if they picked up a second against Turkey. The U.S. has won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1930. Its six goals in the first two matches are one short of the team record for a World Cup. Turkey has yet to score a goal in its first World Cup in 24 years and is already eliminated. Thursday will be the second day with six matches, including Germany looking to win its third straight game, Ivory Coast aiming to make the knockout stage for the first time and Ecuador needing a win to escape the group stage. What to watch on Thursday Curacao vs. Ivory Coast , 4 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock) Ecuador vs. Germany , 4 p.m. EDT in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) Japan vs. Sweden , 7 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Texas (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) Tunisia vs. The Netherlands , 7 p.m. EDT in Kansas City, Missouri (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock) Paraguay vs. Australia , 10 p.m. EDT in Santa Clara, California (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock) Turkey vs. United States , 10 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) Ecuador faces must-win against Germany Ecuador arrived at the World Cup on a 19-game winning streak. It could face an early exit if it can't find a way to beat Germany in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ecuador opened the World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast on Amad Diallo's goal in the 90th minute and played to a scoreless draw against Curacao, the smallest nation in the World Cup. READ MORE: Lionel Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with his 17th and 18th goals in Argentina win That leaves Ecuador trailing both Germany and Ivory Coast in Group E with one point and needing to beat the Germans, who have already clinched the group but will be without defender Nico Schlotterbeck for the rest of the World Cup because of an