2026 FIFA World Cup: Turkey Knocks Off Team USA; Netherlands Win Group F; Socceroos, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Japan, Sweden Advance

 Six more games were contested Thursday in the FIFA World Cup for 2026.

GROUP D:

At SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California:

Kaan Ayahn scored the winning goal at the end of second-half stoppage time (90'+8) as Turkey, already eliminated from the tournament, knocked off the United States 3-2.  The Americans will now prepare for the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina this coming Wednesday.

At Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California:

The contest between Australia and Paraguay ended in a 0-0 deadlock, with the Socceroos clinching a berth in the knockout stage.  Paraguay could also join as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1.  United States (2-1-0; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

2.  Australia (1-1-1; GD: 0; PTS: 4)

3.  Paraguay (1-1-1; GD: -2; PTS: 4)

4.  Turkey (1-2-0; GD; -2; PTS: 3)

The United States and Australia advanced to the knockout stage while Paraguay could also advanced as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.  Turkey has been eliminated.

GROUP E:

At Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia:

Nicolas Pepe scored both goals (7', 64') as Ivory Coast advanced to their first knockout stage after blanking and eliminating Curacao 2-0.

At MetLife, Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey:

Gonzalo Plata scored the game-winning goal in the 77th minute as Ecuador upended Germany 2-1 with both teams headed to the knockout stage.

FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. Germany (2-1-0; GD: +6; PTS: 6)

2. Ivory Coast (2-1-0; GD: +2; PTS: 6)

3. Ecuador (1-1-1; GD: 0; PTS: 4)

4. Curacao (0-2-1; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage while Curacao has been eliminated.

GROUP F:

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas:

Japan and Sweden both advanced to the knockout stage after their 1-1 draw.  Daisen Maeda scored for the Blue Samurai in the 56th minute, then Anthony Elanga equalized in the 64th minute for The Blue and Yellow.

At Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri:

With goals from Ellyes Skhiri (OG-3'), Brian Brobbey (7'), and Jan Paul van Hecke (62'). the Netherlands claimed Group F after outclassing already-eliminated Tunisia 3-1.

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Netherlands (2-0-1; GD: +6; PTS: 7)

2. Japan (1-0-2; GD: +4; PTS: 5)

3. Sweden (1-1-1; GD: 0; PTS: 4)

4. Tunisia (0-3-0; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

The Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden advanced to the knockout stage, with Tunisia eliminated.