Australia drew 0-0 with Paraguay to finish second in Group D. In a parallel 'friendly' match, the USA, who had already won the group, lost 2-3 to Turkey. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Group D, Matchday 3, June 26, Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium

⚽ TURKEY – USA 2:3 (2:1). Goals: Trusty 3 (0:1), Güler 10 (1:1), Kökçü 31 (2:1), Berhalter 49 (2:2), Ayhan 90+8 (3:2)

Group D, Matchday 3, June 26, San Francisco, Levi's Stadium

Sporting intrigue lived only in one match of the final round of the group. Paraguay and Australia contested the second spot in the playoffs. The first had long been reserved for the USA. As had plane tickets to the Bosphorus for Turkey, who were leaving the tournament.

Devoid of tournament motivation, the Americans played with the Turks for their own enjoyment. The hosts opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. Celtic defender Auston Trusty, left alone by defenders at the corner of the six-yard box, converted a corner from Vancouver's Sebastian Berhalter – 1-0. Literally seven minutes later, Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler somewhat belatedly confirmed his star status – 1-1.

Interestingly, both goal scorers – Trusty and Güler – participated in matches against Kairat last year. The American came on as a substitute in Glasgow (0-0), while the Turk, starting for Madrid, took part in the memorable 5-0 thrashing at the Central Stadium in Almaty.

Within three minutes, from the 29th to the 31st inclusive, the teams scored once more. A goal by American defender Mark McKenzie of French club Toulouse was disallowed for offside, while Orkun Kökçü of Beşiktaş had his strike counted – 2-1.

After the break, Berhalter, who had assisted Trusty for the first goal and McKenzie for the disallowed one, equalized with a powerful shot from medium range – 2-2. Yet Turkey snatched victory in stoppage time. Galatasaray midfielder Kaan Ayhan poured balm on the wounded hearts of the Janissaries fans – 3-2.

The parallel game did not delight with goals. Nor with sharp moments. The Australians, who were entirely satisfied with a draw, were nevertheless more active. The Paraguayans reasonably decided that four points would ultimately be enough for them to advance to the playoffs from third place. Therefore, they did not show a particular desire to win at any cost. As a result, a goalless draw was recorded, the fifth at the 2026 World Cup. Previously, matches Spain – Cape Verde, Ecuador – Curaçao, Belgium – Iran, and England – Ghana had also ended this way.

The Americans' opponent in the first stage of the playoffs will be Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match will take place on July 1 in San Francisco. Australia will face the second-placed team from Group G (Egypt, Iran, Belgium, or New Zealand) on July 3 in Arlington.

Overnight, tournaments in two more groups concluded. Germany, who had already won Group E, lost to Ecuador. The South Americans advanced to the playoffs from third place, while second place went to Ivory Coast, who beat Curaçao. On June 30, the Elephants will play a Round of 16 match in the aforementioned Dallas suburb of Arlington against the second-placed team from Group I (France or Norway).

The Netherlands, beating long-suffering Tunisia, won Group F. On June 30, the Oranje will play Morocco in the first round of the playoffs in Monterrey.

Japan and Sweden, drawing, advanced to the Round of 16 in that order. The Samurai will be tested by Brazil on June 29 in Houston; Sweden's opponent is not yet known.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup finals started on June 11 and will end on July 19. The global football forum is being held in three countries for the first time – the USA, Canada, and Mexico – and has gathered 48 teams for the first time.

After the group stage, the two best teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will continue the fight. Playoff matches will begin with the Round of 16.