Turkiye vs. US Starting 11: Projected Starting Lineups, Formations, & Key Information
The 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes Group D play as the United States takes on Turkey in the final round of group-stage action.
The United States enters the match having already secured first place in Group D after victories over Paraguay and Australia. Turkey, meanwhile, needs a positive result to keep its hopes of advancing alive and will be looking to pull off an upset against the group winners.
Led by stars such as Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Arda Güler, this matchup features plenty of quality despite the teams entering with different objectives. While the United States looks to carry its momentum into the knockout rounds, Turkey will be fighting to extend its World Cup campaign.
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United States Predicted Starting Lineup
The United States is expected to deploy an energetic and attack-minded lineup featuring a blend of youth and experience.
Matt Freese starts in goal behind a back four consisting of Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, and Auston Trusty. Robinson provides leadership in central defense, while Freeman and Trusty offer athleticism and versatility from the full-back positions.
In midfield, Sebastian Berhalter and Malik Tillman are expected to anchor the center of the pitch. Berhalter brings composure in possession, while Tillman offers creativity and the ability to drive the attack forward.
Further forward, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, and Giovanni Reyna are expected to support striker Haji Wright. McKennie provides box-to-box energy from an advanced role, while Reyna’s creativity and Wright’s finishing ability give the Americans multiple attacking threats.
- GK: Matt Freese
- RB: Alex Freeman
- CB: Mark McKenzie
- CB: Miles Robinson
- LB: Auston Trusty
- CDM: Sebastian Berhalter
- CDM: Malik Tillman
- RW: Sergiño Dest
- CAM: Weston McKennie
- LW: Giovanni Reyna
- ST: Haji Wright
Turkey Predicted Starting Lineup
Turkey is expected to line up with a technically gifted squad capable of creating problems for any opponent.
Uğurcan Çakır starts in goal behind a back four featuring Mert Müldür, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Merih Demiral, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu. Demiral anchors the defense with his physical presence, while Kadıoğlu and Müldür provide attacking support from the full-back positions.
In midfield, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Orkun Kökçü are expected to control possession and dictate the tempo. Çalhanoğlu’s vision and set-piece ability make him Turkey’s most influential player, while Kökçü provides energy and technical quality.
Leading the attack are Barış Yılmaz, Arda Güler, and Kenan Yıldız behind striker Deniz Gül. Güler remains the creative spark in the final third, while Yıldız’s pace and Gül’s movement provide additional attacking threats.
- GK: Uğurcan Çakır
- RB: Mert Müldür
- CB: Abdülkerim Bardakcı
- CB: Merih Demiral
- LB: Ferdi Kadıoğlu
- CDM: Hakan Çalhanoğlu
- CDM: Orkun Kökçü
- RW: Barış Yılmaz
- CAM: Arda Güler
- LW: Kenan Yıldız
- ST: Deniz Gül
Team News & Key Absences
The United States enters the final group-stage match with first place in Group D already secured. McKennie remains the leader in midfield, while Dest, Reyna, and Wright provide attacking quality throughout the lineup. With the group wrapped up, the Americans could opt to rotate parts of the squad while maintaining a competitive starting XI.
Turkey enters the match needing a result to keep its qualification hopes alive. Çalhanoğlu remains the heartbeat of the midfield, while Güler and Yıldız will be relied upon to create scoring opportunities against a confident U.S. side.
Both teams are expected to have the majority of their preferred starters available for this decisive Group D matchup.
Match Outlook & Resources
The United States enters the contest with momentum and the freedom to manage minutes after already securing top spot in Group D. Even if rotation becomes a factor, the Americans have shown the depth and organization needed to remain dangerous.
Turkey faces a must-win situation and has enough technical quality to challenge the U.S., particularly through the creativity of Çalhanoğlu and Güler. However, remaining compact defensively and taking advantage of scoring opportunities will be essential.
With the United States preparing for the knockout stage and Turkey fighting to keep its World Cup hopes alive, expect an entertaining and hard-fought battle to close out Group D.
AP Images/Rebecca Blackwell
