If USA loses to Turkey are they out of World Cup? What to know about USMNT's standing

Editor's note: Keep up with the USA-Turkey game with our live blog, here.INGLEWOOD, CA — It hasn't been the exact start the U.S.

men's national team hoped for in its final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup.After scoring in the third minute of the match against Turkey on Thursday, June 25, Turkey responded with two goals to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. It was the first time Turkey scored in the tournament and the first time the U.

S. has trailed, but the USMNT was able to respond with a goal in the second half to tie it up.The early deficit and tie may sound the panic alarms for U.

S. fans since it's the last group stage match before the round of 32 begins, but regardless of how the rest of the match unfolds, there isn't much stress to have regarding the future outlook for the USMNT:If USA loses or ties today, are they out of the World Cup?The U.

S. is all good.The USMNT can afford to lose to Turkey since it already won Group D, therefore its place in the standings and spot in the round of 32 will hold regardless of Thursday's outcome.

The U.S. won the group after beating Paraguay and Australia, therefore making the match against Turkey irrelevant.

The USMNT will still face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on July 1.That's why coach Mauricio Pochettino went with a lineup that mostly consists of reserves.If anything, the U.

S. is playing to win all three group stage matches, which it has never done in its World Cup history.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: If USA loses to Turkey are they out?

What to know about World Cup game