Türkiye's XI in the farewell match: USA rotate

In the final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Türkiye face hosts the USA at SoFi Stadium, and the starting XIs for both teams have been announced. With Türkiye, who bowed out early after losing their first two games without scoring, having only pride on the line, it is rotation and rest time for a USA that secured top spot by winning both their matches.

For Türkiye, head coach Vincenzo Montella sets up in a 4-2-3-1. Uğurcan Çakır is in goal, with Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Eren Elmalı in the heart of defence. Salih Özcan and Orkun Kökçü operate in midfield, while up front Barış Alper Yılmaz starts as the striker supported by Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız and Oğuz Aydın. The notable point was that captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kerem Aktürkoğlu start on the bench.

For the USA, head coach Mauricio Pochettino made wholesale changes. In a 4-2-3-1, Matt Turner is in goal, while the injured Christian Pulisic was rested and named on the bench. Names like Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest and Tyler Adams also started on the bench. Pochettino gave a chance to peripheral players in a side that secured the last 32 as group winners; Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Timothy Weah featured up front.

Although there is nothing on the line in points or qualification for either team, the match has its own dynamics. While the USA's reserve players want to get into Pochettino's future plans, Türkiye aim to at least score a goal and take a point before leaving North America. Türkiye, who failed to score despite taking 62 shots in two games, are expected to solve their attacking problem in this match.

Starting XIs
Türkiye (4-2-3-1): Çakır; Çelik, Kabak, Bardakcı, Elmalı; Özcan, Kökçü; Aydın, Güler, Yıldız; Yılmaz
USA (4-2-3-1): Turner; Scally, Trusty, Robinson, McKenzie; Berhalter, McKennie; Aaronson, Reyna, Weah; Pepi

Image: Khel Now