ATLANTA — The U.S. men’s World Cup got tougher on Tuesday as Turkey beat Kosovo to advance to Group D.
The Turks were considered favorites among the four UEFA qualifying groups that included Romania and Slovakia, beating the Romanians and the Kosovans 1-0.
“A good team,” said Christian Pulisic. “So it’s going to be a great game in L.A. Something to look forward to, our last team game.”
The USA didn’t have the best team to lose 2-1 to Turkey in a friendly last June – there was no Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah or Antonee Robinson in the team that Mauricio Pochettino eventually took to the Gold Cup last summer – but still, it’s a reminder that in June nothing will come.
Although the US’s draw is considered the best, with Paraguay and Australia also in its group, it is ultimately a four-team quadrant without any obvious competition. The Americans have to be favored, but unlike other teams in the expanded 48-team World Cup, anyone can win it.
And Turkey, who will face the US on June 25 in what could be a crucial group finale, could be the toughest challenger of the three.
The Turkish club have signed two stars who play for Real Madrid, Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu is not far behind – he and Brighton defender Ferdi Kagioglu both had strong performances against Kosovo and Romania. Kerem Aturkoglu, a striker who plays for Fenerbahçe, scored one goal in Tuesday’s game.
Manager Vincenzo Montella, who has a decorated coaching career particularly in Italy, has led Turkey to just his third World Cup. It last entered the competition in 2002, finishing third in the competition held in South Korea and Japan.
“My mindset doesn’t change,” said goalkeeper Matt Freese. “I don’t care who I play with. Whenever I cross the white line, I try to win. My goal and expectation in goal is to win. It doesn’t matter who I play with.”
Elsewhere in the UEFA qualifiers, Sweden beat Poland, Czechia beat Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy.
Sweden joined the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F. Czechia will enter Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. Bosnia, which kept Italy out of the World Cup for the third time in a row, will be in Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
The Democratic Republic of Congo also beat Jamaica in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff to qualify for Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia. The last place of 48 was between Iraq and Bolivia in the match that started on Tuesday night.
