Matchday 15 on June 25 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings six fixtures in the third round of the group stage: Turkey vs the U.S., Ecuador vs. Germany, Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Paraguay vs. Australia, Japan vs. Sweden and Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group D, Round 3, June 25, Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium
Turkey vs. the U.S. W2 D1 L2 (7-7)
Coaches: Vincenzo Montella (Italy) / Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina)
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Group D will feature a rare World Cup meeting between Turkey and the U.S., with Turkey designated as the home side in Los Angeles. Having defeated Paraguay and Australia, the United States secured first place in the group with one match to spare. Turkey, having lost to the same opponents, is already effectively eliminated. As a result, both teams enter the match with nothing at stake. The head-to-head record is level, although this will be the first World Cup meeting between the two nations.
In San Francisco, Paraguay and Australia will battle for second place in the group. Australia, which holds the advantage on goal difference, would be satisfied with a draw. Paraguay, too, would likely view that result favorably. Based on the results in the other groups, four points could be enough for Paraguay to advance to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. The runner-up in Group D will meet the runner-up in Group F in the round of 32. It remains unclear whether that opponent will be Egypt, Iran, Belgium or New Zealand.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group D, Round 3, June 25, San Francisco, Levi’s Stadium
Paraguay vs. Australia W0 D3 L2 (2-4)
Coaches: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina) / Tony Popovic
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
The winner of Group E has also been determined ahead of schedule. Having defeated Curacao and Côte d’Ivoire, Germany secured first place in the group and a spot in the round of 32.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group E, Round 3, June 25, East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium
Ecuador vs. Germany W0 D0 L2 (2-7)
Coaches: Sebastián Beccacece (Argentina) / Julian Nagelsmann
Referee: Tori Penso (the U.S.)
The remaining three teams are still technically in the race for second place, although Côte d’Ivoire is in a stronger position. A draw would also be acceptable for Côte d’Ivoire. The team is likely to face the runner-up in Group I — either France or Norway — in the round of 32.
For Ecuador, however, only a victory would keep its hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. The team remains without a goal at the 2026 World Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group E, Round 3, June 25, Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field
Curacao vs. Côte d’Ivoire (first meeting)
Coaches: Dick Advocaa (the Netherlands) / Emerse Faé
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
In Group F, only Tunisia has been effectively eliminated after heavy defeats to Sweden and Japan. The African side could still end its campaign with a victory over the Netherlands, but faces a difficult task.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group F, Round 3, June 25, Kansas City, Arrowhead Stadium
Tunisia vs. the Netherlands W0 D2 L1 (3-7)
Coaches: Hervé Renard (France) / Ronald Koeman
Referee: Katia Itzel García (Mexico)
The main fixture in Group F pits Japan against Sweden, with a draw sufficient for Japan. Japan has impressed at the 2026 World Cup so far, although Sweden should not be underestimated in a match with significant implications for both teams.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group F, Round 3, June 25, Texas, AT&T Stadium
Japan vs. Sweden W0 D2 L2 (3-5)
Coaches: Hajime Moriyasu / Graham Potter (England)
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
The winner of Group F will face Morocco in the round of 32, while the runner-up will meet Brazil.
The group stage concluded in Groups A, B and C on the previous matchday.
Mexico beat the Czech Republic 3-0 to finish top of Group A. South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 to advance to the knockout stage for the first time and set up a round of 32 meeting with Canada.
Switzerland beat Canada to secure first place in Group B, while Bosnia and Herzegovina kept its knockout hopes alive with a win over Qatar.
Brazil defeated Scotland to finish top of Group C ahead of Morocco, which advanced with a win over Haiti. In the round of 32, Brazil will face the runner-up in Group F, while Morocco will meet the group winner.
