USMNT Faces Paraguay at 10 p.m. ET After Clinching 2026 World Cup Knockout Berth

Q: With the group secured, will the USMNT rest its stars tonight or chase a perfect record against Turkey?

The USMNT is more likely to do both: rotate some key players while still clearly chasing a third win against Turkey. Because the Americans have already clinched the group and a knockout berth, Mauricio Pochettino has room to manage minutes. That matters especially for players carrying yellow cards, including Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson, who could risk suspension for the Round of 32. Christian Pulisic has also only recently returned to full training after a calf issue, making a limited role more plausible than a full 90 minutes. At the same time, the messaging from inside the camp points strongly toward maintaining momentum rather than treating the match like a dead rubber. Balogun has said the priority is still to win and that a perfect three-for-three group stage would “create history.” Pulisic has also stressed that going into the knockout rounds with another victory would feel better. Chris Richards has spoken publicly about extending the team’s strong run. So the likeliest scenario is a mixed lineup: some stars rested or used sparingly, some regulars retained, and fringe players given meaningful minutes. Pochettino has emphasized the squad’s depth and has not tipped his hand on the starting XI. In short, expect sensible rotation, not a full reserve side. The U.S. appears intent on protecting key players where necessary, but the stronger signal from the team is that it still wants a perfect group-stage record.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 25

Los Angeles Stadium hosts the United States' final Group D match Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, with FOX, FOX One and FOX Sports carrying the game.
The Americans already secured a knockout-round place by beating Australia 2-0 after opening their 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Folarin Balogun scored twice in that opener, helping fuel a strong start for Mauricio Pochettino's side, which also beat Senegal 3-2 in a late-May tuneup.
The match comes as the 48-team tournament continues with the USMNT, ranked No. 17 by FIFA entering the event, trying to extend its unbeaten run.