close
Friday, June 26, 2026

2026 World Cup: U.S., Australia qualify for round of 32

In the group’s other final fixture at Levi’s Stadium, played simultaneously in California, Paraguay and Australia drew blanks to secure a point apiece.

• June 26, 2026
2026 World Cup
2026 World Cup

The United States, already qualified for the round of 32, suffered their first defeat at the 2026 World Cup and gave bottom-placed Turkey their first victory in their final Group D match.

The match ended 3-2 at SoFi Stadium in California on Friday.

Auston Trusty put the U.S. in the lead by converting a corner-kick in the third minute before Arda Güler scored Turkey’s first goal this tournament from a pass by Banş Yilmas, who himself scored later in the 31st minute.

In the second half, Sebastian Berhalter equalised in the 49th minute. Both teams kept pushing for a win, and Kaan Ayhan scored Turkey’s victory-securing goal in the eighth minute of injury time, though it did not stop them from crashing out of the tournament.

In the group’s other final fixture at Levi’s Stadium, played simultaneously in California, Paraguay and Australia drew blanks to secure a point apiece.

The U.S. topped the group with six points. Australia are also through to the round of 32 with four points. Paraguay are third, also with four points but an inferior goal difference, and will hope to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Eight people freed from bandits

States

Eight people freed from bandits after gunfight in Plateau forest: Army

The operation was disclosed on Friday in a statement by the troops’ spokesperson, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh.

Swedish minister with baby

World

Swedish minister attends EU Council meeting with baby

Ms Pourmokhtari, Sweden’s youngest minister in history, was appointed at 26 in 2022 and has just returned from parental leave.

Nigerian students in Ireland

Education

Ireland govt invites Nigerians to apply for 2026 fully funded master’s scholarship

The Irish government has invited Nigerians, Ghanaians and others to apply for its fully funded master’s scholarship for 2026.

Crowd scrambling for food; Tinubu with toothpick

Economy

Tinubu Hardship: N70,000 minimum wage not enough for hungry workers, says Gbajabiamila

“In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a minimum wage of N70,000, with more than double the N30,000 that workers had endured for years,” said Mr Gbajabiamila.

Europeans cooling off during heatwave

World

Europe’s Record-breaking Heat: UN warns climate disasters becoming more destructive

UN weather agency warned that climate disasters are becoming more destructive as Europe experiences a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures topping 43°C in western France.