The USMNT is already through to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup as winners of Group D, giving Mauricio Pochettino unlimited options (and decisions to make) as the Yanks prepare to face Turkiye on Thursday.

WATCH — USA vs Turkiye, en Español

Chief among them is whether or not to play Christian Pulisic, who missed game no. 2 against Australia due to a calf injury he suffered during the first half against Paraguay. Pulisic was practically unplayable in those 45 minutes, perhaps one of his best performances in the Stars and Stripes given the World Cup stage. Pochettino has hinted that Pulisic could be available against Turkiye in order to keep sharp, but the same cannot be said for Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams, all of whom picked up a yellow card in the first game and would miss the round of 32 should they pick up two in the group stage.

Turkiye have already been eliminated after a disappointing start that saw them lose 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay.

How to watch USA vs Turkiye live, stream link and start time

Kick off time:10 pm ET Thursday (June 25)
Venue:SoFi Stadium — Los Angeles
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol

USMNT team news, focus

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Pulisic (calf)

Turkiye team news, focus

No injuries to report.

USA vs Turkiye prediction

The chop-and-change nature of the squad will certainly help with health and discipline matters, but it won't be good for continuity and cohesion. This one will be a bit of a slog. USA 1-0 Turkiye.

KANSAS CITY — "We're going to party all week in Curacao. No sleep. The whole week. We got a point. The smallest nation in the World Cup. Curacao!"

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That was the celebratory cry from one proud Curacaon supporter shortly after the final whistle on Saturday, as the tiny island nation of just 150,000 people earned its first-ever World Cup point in a thriller of a 0-0 draw with Ecuador. Goalkeeper Eloy Room (15 saves) came up one short of tying Tim Howard's all-time record for the most in a World Cup game, somehow thwarting a rampant Ecuadorian attack all night long, sometimes two and three saves at a time.

The Blue Wave rebounded brilliantly after they were hammered 7-1 by Germany in their World Cup debut last week, proving they didn't get here by accident and that they belong at the top table. Curacao went unbeaten in CONCACAF qualifying (without the USA, Mexico or Canada involved) and is the smallest country to ever qualify for the tournament. Just being here has already galvanized the passionate population back home, even if only one of them were born in Curacao.

"We're a small country but because we qualified for the World Cup, you saw the whole country unite and everyone become one. We are the Blue Wave, everyone [in Curacao] became the Blue Wave," one football-mad fan decked out in blue from head to toe, Jean, explained before kickoff. "We see different Americans here wearing out shirts, it makes us proud because they love an underdog story. We are here to win."

Tahith Chong is the native-born player, a former Manchester United academy product and more recently in the Premier League with Luton Town, and he is Curacao's best outfield player — at least he was against Ecuador. The other 25 players on the 2026 World Cup roster were all born in the Netherlands but have strong ties to the island through parents and grandparents; even Chong joined the Feyenoord academy as a youngster and was developed there. 18 players in the current squad represented the Netherlands at youth international levels, and two — Riechedly Bazoer and Joshua Brenet — made appearances for the senior team.

MORE — Today’s World Cup schedule, everyday

The group came together largely over the course of a few years, with 15 of the 26 making their Curacao debuts since 2023, understanding that three CONCACAF countries hosting the tournament would present a special opportunity that might never come along again. The federation seized it and made history after just two games, now they have a real shot of getting into the knockout rounds and inspiring a nation to dream and believe even more.

"For us to fly from Curacao to Miami, and now Kansas City, is amazing. You can feel the vibe, you can feel the energy of the people," Jean said. "Everybody knows we're the underdogs, they are pointing to us and everyone wants to take pictures with us."

The pipeline of Dutch talent to the Curacaoan national team is unlikely to slow anytime soon, and could quickly see them making waves in upcoming CONCACAF competitions. After the USMNT and Mexico (and more recently Canada), the next-best team in CONCACAF at any given time is one of a dozen different different nations. Jamaica, Honduras and Costa Rica all failed to qualify this cycle after turning the page on previous generations that made them part of the furniture for a decade or more. Someone is always falling off, and someone is always rising.

MORE — World Cup rankings: From 48 to 1

"It's David versus Goliath every time when you're Curacao," goes the local mantra and mindset, though they have closed the gap considerably in a short time and the recruiting pitch only gets sweeter after nights like this one. The appeal to potential players is obvious. You can have an international career and compete to play in World Cups, perhaps become an island hero for the rest of your days and deeply immerse yourself in your ancestral culture. The nation will be better for it, football in the Caribbean will be better for it, and the rest of CONCACAF would benefit as well.

Of course, a new coach will probably have to be hired after the World Cup as 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, the former Netherlands manager (three different stints), is unlikely to continue after previously stepping aside late last year when his daughter became ill. He returned to the job this spring after his daughter's health improved. Advocaat is a bit of a legend in Curacao, rightly so, and the next man will have a big job on his hands to keep the vibes high and momentum moving forward.

But those are what we call "good problems for another day," because Curacao's 2026 race is not yet run and the Blue Wave still has the unthinkable to play for when they face Ivory Coast on Thursday (4 pm ET). A win, coupled with Ecuador drawing or losing to Germany, would see Curacao finish 2nd and advance from Group E. Four points would also put Curacao in a strong position to advance as one of eight 3rd-place sides, should Ecuador win.

We are now two games down here in KC, and we've had two moments of World Cup history made in our fair city — one as gigantic as they come, and the other the smallest of all time. Netherlands vs Tunisia, what do you have for us this week?

This post was going to start with the undeniable and infectious energy in Philadelphia from the moment I stepped out of my car to cover the 2026 World Cup group match between Brazil and Haiti. The smell of the grills, the sound of the music, and celebratory spirit that oozed of the grounds from four hours before kickoff until the long into the night.

Then I met Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the first ruler of independent Haiti and namesake of the country's national anthem "La Dessalinienne."

"I am his spirit — I cannot be him but I am his spirit." said Dessalines, who is currently occupying the human shell presented by Haitian-born and Chicago-dwelling Maxence Jeanty.

MORE — USA 2-0 Australia video highlights & recap

Jeanty grew up in Haiti, moved to the United States in 1999, and is following his birth nation around the World Cup dressed in 18th-century military garb. A "distant cousin" of former USMNT striker Jozy Altidore, Jeanty isn't just speaking with me but pausing for photo ops with a good portion of Philadelphia Stadium.

"Everybody wants to take a picture," Jeanty said. "I grew up in Haiti and saw the 1994 World Cup and we were always cheering for the teams and I'm at the point in my life where I'm cheering for my home team. This means a lot. The moment we qualified, I bought all three tickets, and started putting this (uniform) together."

Jeanty, like many other Haitian fans in attendance, did not expect to be here — at least not watching his birth nation on the field against Brazil at a World Cup. But he started seeing hope in 2019 between the youthful vigor of this crop of Haitian players and the berths that would open up for CONCACAF at the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.

Nick Mendola

Haiti, Brazil, and a party for the ages

Philly's portion of the Haitian diaspora is sizable — more than 10,000 Philadelphians are from the Caribbean nation, according to Global Philadelphia — and that made for the incredible scenes in a building otherwise covered in the canary yellow of five-time World Cup champions Brazil.

But there's also an undeniable undercurrent of energy, likely aided by Brazil's status as massive favorites for this match, that sent dance hall vibes throughout the pregame, in-game, and postgame. Brazil fans danced to the Haitian songs played over the stadium sound system. Haitian fans did the same.

Porto Alegre, Brazil native Antonio Smith, 57, traveled with three friends to the game and made a quick connection between the ebullient pregame crowd and the diplomatic relations between Haiti and Brazil.

"Why Haitians can love Brazilians other than this game — because in the very early times Brazil's army was there to protect them," Smith said. "There was a big connection because we supported them in the worst occasions like hurricanes, earthquakes, and other things. I think they like ourselves, our style."

Kai Etienne from California traveled to the match with a friend and said the opponent was perfect for the occasion.

"If Haiti weren't in the World Cup, we'd all be rooting for Brazil," Etienne said. "It's a pleasure to be here and it's an honor to spar with them on equal footing."

Etienne pointed to this positive moment in the spotlight as a unifying moment for Haitians amidst gang violence and humanitarian concerns.

"Haiti haven't been here since the 70s," Etienne said regarding the World Cup. "It's a big deal for our country especially with what's going on right now — a big source of pride and a light at the end of the tunnel where we can bring a positive experience to Haitians both in the country and as part of the diaspora. Take that positive and move it forward."

Jeanty seemed to have circled this fixture amongst the three — Scotland and Morocco sandwich this second group match — when the draw was conducted late last year.

"When I grew up in Haiti, there were two big factions: Argentina fans and Brazil fans." he said. "Today it means a lot to us because we're stepping on the pitch not as fans but as equals. That's why the energy is so far up. We've evolved, we've stepped up our game to be able to do this. That's why you are feeling all this energy."

Maybe things would've been a bit less friendly had Haiti found an early goal and not been out of the match by halftime, but also, maybe not. And in a tough time around the world, we prefer to think the Carnival vibe was something more communal.

The USMNT is through to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after improving to 2-0-0 with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday, and the American fans are starting to believe in their boys — and with very good reason.

USA 2-0 AUSTRALIA — Video highlights & recap

Folarin Balogun is a genuine star at center forward, Chris Richards is the undisputed big dog in defense, and Christian Pulisic's absence (calf injury) was hardly felt by the USMNT.

USMNT player ratings vs Australia in World Cup game no. 2

Matt Freese: 6.5 - Only had to make two saves (one in the opening seconds) and that's a credit to his defense because they headed and booted away 15 of the 18 crosses that Australia attempted.

Alex Freeman: 8 - Who had a 20-year-old right back from Orlando City being one of the most important players of this World Cup cycle? Mauricio Pochettino did, and no one else. It's not just the goal, but it's the flexibility and versatility he brings to the backline. He can defend open space very well as a wide center back, but he can still carry the ball forward like a full back. Absolute game-changer.

Chris Richards: 8 - Someone had to be a giant in the air when Australia pinned the USMNT in their end and swung cross after cross into the box, and Richards was one of them (4 headed clearances).

Tim Ream: 7 - He was the other one (5 headed clear), and only got isolated once or twice in space against pace. There's a difference between being beaten in behind, and getting stuck in your own penalty area. This U.S. defense is built for the latter, not the former.

Sergiño Dest: 7.5 - He's healthy, he's fit, he's sharp. He's bloody brilliant, and he's playing almost exclusively in the find third now. Once a luxury player, now an irreplaceable creator.

Tyler Adams: 7 - Winning second balls had to be a massive emphasis point for the USMNT against Australia, knowing they would go long and that Richards and Ream would be ready to deal with the initial threat. 7 recoveries, to go with 4 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Weston McKennie: 7 - More chances created (3) than any player for either side, and was fantastic combining with Dest down the right.

Antonee Robinson: 7 - Didn't have to be brilliant in the opener against Paraguay, but was a constant source of final-third penetration. Without Christian Pulisic ahead of him to dribble defenders every time he's on the ball, Robinson was the man to keep the width and present danger down the left, which he did very well in the first half.

Malik Tillman: 7.5 - The other player tasked with picking up Pulisic's slack on the left, and what a game he had. The left channel was clearly a major target for the USMNT in the first half as Robinson and Ream looked to pump the ball in there every time they could.

Ricardo Pepi: 6.5 - The opening goal would have been his if not for Cameron Burgess's unfortunate (for him) intervention. Pepi was otherwise smart, if not safe, with the ball.

Folarin Balogun: 7.5 - Technically doesn't get credited with an assist for the own goal, but it was all him. The run, the carry, the vision and execution to put it in an impossibly dangerous spot. Balogun was one poor touch (51st-minute breakaway away from scoring in back-to-back games.

Sebastian Berhalter (sub): 6 - A bit slow to find his footing immediately after coming on in both games (understandable, given the tempo and back-and-forth nature), but those are the moments that, should he enter a similar situation in the knockout rounds, could spell the end for the USMNT. One bad giveaway, one extra touch is all it takes against the best of the best.

Joe Scally (sub): 6 - Brought energy off the bench when the game was beginning to slip away and get chippy. Could perhaps play the "Freeman role" in a pinch?

Auston Trusty (sub): 6.5 - An astute substitute by Pochettino, putting more size and aerial presence on the outside when Australia were finding joy with long diagonals out to the wing.

Gio Reyna (sub): N/A - 95th-minute chance for McKennie.

Haji Wright (sub): N/A - 95th-minute chance for Balogun.

Crunch time is about to arrive at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, with teams scrambling to grab a spot in the Round of 32 and the knockout rounds.

MORE — World Cup Daily schedule: Who is playing today?

The new expanded format means that two thirds of the teams at the tournament this summer will make the knockout rounds, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups making it automatically and the eight best third-place teams joining them.

Of course, you want to finish as the group winners to get an easier path in the knockout rounds, but everyone just wants to advance.

Below is a look at the teams who have already booked their spot in the Round of 32 and have reached the knockout rounds of the 2026 men's World Cup.

Which teams have qualified for the Round of 32, knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup?

Mexico were the first team to qualify for the Round of 32, as the co-hosts have also secured top spot in Group A with two wins from their opening two games. Why is top spot so important to Mexico?

It guarantees their will play all of their Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarterfinal games in Mexico, if they get that far. That should be a huge advantage for El Tri.