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U.S. Tops Group D, Sets Turkey Clash; Balogun Risked

6/24/2026

43 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

United States will face Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026 after winning Group D.
The U.S. men’s national team clinched top spot with 4-1 and 2-0 victories over Paraguay (June 12) and Australia (June 19), a first three-win group streak since 1930.
Folarin Balogun scored twice against Paraguay but received a yellow card that could rule him out of the knockout round.

History

Historical Context

After the United States reached the semifinals of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup—finishing third among 13 nations and earning Bert Patenaude’s first recognized hat-trick—the team vanished from the finals after 1950, returned in 1990, missed 2018, and qualified for 2022. Now, with striker Folarin Balogun, the USMNT aims to surpass that early legacy at the 2026 tournament in Los Angeles.

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Story summary

United States will face Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026 after winning Group D.
The U.S. men’s national team clinched top spot with 4-1 and 2-0 victories over Paraguay (June 12) and Australia (June 19), a first three-win group streak since 1930.
Folarin Balogun scored twice against Paraguay but received a yellow card that could rule him out of the knockout round.

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