Türkiye will be USMNT's stiffest test in World Cup group stage - ESPN

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The United States men's national team now knows its final opponent at the FIFA World Cup. Türkiye — one of Europe's most talented and unpredictable teams — sealed its place in Group D with a tense 1-0 playoff win against Kosovo in Pristina.

Kerem Aktürkoglu's 53rd-minute goal was enough to claim victory and send Türkiye to its first men's World Cup since it reached the semifinals — losing to eventual winners Brazil — in 2002.

Sitting in 22nd spot in the FIFA World Ranking, six below Maurico Pochettino's U.S. team, Türkiye will face the World Cup co-hosts in Group D's final game in Los Angeles on June 25 with both nations having already faced Paraguay and Australia. Unless the U.S. wins both of its opening two games, its clash with Türkiye at SoFi Stadium could make or break the Americans' hopes of claiming top spot, or even qualifying for the round of 32.

What can the U.S. expect against Vincenzo Montella's side, which includes young Real Madrid star Arda Güler and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz? Here is what to know about Türkiye's strengths and weaknesses, and why they could turn out to be one of the dangerous outsiders at the World Cup this summer.

Türkiye were forced to navigate the playoffs, beating Romania and then Kosovo, after finishing second in UEFA Group E behind European champions Spain.

Although they beat Bulgaria and Georgia home and away, Türkiye's two encounters with Spain epitomized their ability to compete with the best, but also their propensity to collapse when the pressure of expectancy is on — just as they did at Euro 2024, when they were fancied to beat the Netherlands in the quarterfinals but lost.

Against Spain, Türkiye were beaten 6-0 at home, but they then held the World Cup