World Cup 2026: USA vs Turkey Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

USA welcome Turkey to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their Group D finale, with kickoff at 04:00 CAT on Friday. Mauricio Pochettino's side have already won the group and booked their place in the knockouts, while Turkey arrive eliminated and chasing nothing more than a performance to restore some pride. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

USA

The United States have been the story of Group D, sealing top spot with a 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory against Australia, and from my point of view Pochettino will rotate heavily here. With Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson all one booking away from missing the round of 32, I expect several of those regulars to be rested or used sparingly. Christian Pulisic is still managing a hamstring strain that kept him out against Australia, so I do not see him risked from the start. Ricardo Pepi should lead a much-changed side that has little riding on the result.

Predicted Lineup: Freese; Freeman, Dest, Ream, McKenzie; Adams, Tillman; Trusty, Mckennie, Pepi; Wright.

Turkey

Turkey became the first nation eliminated from the tournament after a 1-0 defeat to a ten-man Paraguay, a night on which they registered 32 attempts without scoring. In my opinion that profligacy sums up their campaign, and Vincenzo Montella now has to lift a talented group with nothing left to play for. I expect him to again hand starts to younger players such as Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, the latter fully recovered from a calf problem. With Hakan Calhanoglu still pulling the strings, Turkey have the quality to cause a rotated USA side problems.

Predicted Lineup: Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Calhanoglu; Akguz, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu

With top spot secured I expect Pochettino to empty his bench and protect players on bookings, which opens the door for Turkey to play with freedom. Montella's side carry enough attacking talent to punish a makeshift American back line, and I can see goals at both ends in an open contest. My forecast: USA 1 Turkey 1.

BTTS: Yes (1.66)

I am backing both teams to score and my read on this is that a heavily rotated USA side will be more vulnerable at the back than the likely group winners have looked so far. Turkey created 32 chances in their last outing and will eventually take one if they keep that volume up. With the Americans still carrying threat through Pepi and Weah, 1.66 on both teams scoring is where I see the value.