Day 15 Results — June 25, 2026
Kaan Ayhan's dramatic 90+8' winner sealed a 3–2 victory for Türkiye over the United States in the most electrifying match of Day 15, while Germany suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament as Ecuador's Enner Valencia-era successor Moisés Caicedo-led side — spearheaded by Ángel Mena's equaliser and Jeremy Plata's late winner — sent Die Mannschaft crashing out. Six matches across Groups D, E, and F concluded the group stage for those sections, sending eight nations to the Round of 32.
Group D — Match Results
The United States drew first blood through Auston Trusty in just the 3rd minute, but Arda Güler — once again proving himself one of the tournament's most dangerous playmakers — levelled immediately at 10' and then set up Orkun Kökçü's 31st-minute strike to put Türkiye ahead. Sebastian Berhalter, making his first major tournament start, rifled in a rocket to make it 2–2 on the hour, and the USMNT looked capable of holding on. However, with Trusty forced off through injury and the USA having exhausted their substitutions, Kaan Ayhan pounced in the 8th minute of stoppage time to claim a gut-punch winner for Türkiye. Despite the result, the United States had already clinched top spot in Group D heading into the fixture, and they advance as group winners.
A cautious, tightly contested goalless draw between Paraguay and Australia was enough for both nations to secure their places among the eight best third-place sides advancing to the Round of 32. Neither team could find a breakthrough, but both can celebrate progression for the first time at this tournament.
Group E — Match Results
In the biggest upset of Day 15, Ecuador stunned four-time world champions Germany at MetLife Stadium. Leroy Sané gave Die Mannschaft a dream start in the 2nd minute, but Kevin Angulo replied almost instantly with a superb curling effort from range in the 7th minute to level. The game remained 1–1 deep into the second half before Jeremy Plata, fed by a Rodriguez header flick, poked home the winner in the 77th minute to send Ecuador to the Round of 32. Germany, despite finishing as Group E winners on points, saw their unbeaten group-stage record ended in dramatic fashion. Ecuador advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé wrote his name into Ivorian football history with a stunning brace at Lincoln Financial Field. His first goal came just seven minutes in, sweeping home from Yan Diomandé's cross after exploiting a defensive mistake. He added a second in the 64th minute — a sumptuous curled finish off Ibrahim Sangaré's pass — to seal a 2–0 win. The result means Ivory Coast advance to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history, a landmark moment for African football.
Group F — Match Results
In a match that both teams ultimately needed a point from, Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead in the 56th minute before Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga equalised for Sweden just six minutes later. The 1–1 draw was enough to send both nations through to the knockout stages: Japan finish as Group F runners-up, while Sweden advance as one of the best third-placed teams. The Samurai Blue, who dismantled Tunisia 4–0 in Matchday 2, have been one of the tournament's most consistent sides.
The Netherlands made it three wins from three in Group F with a commanding 3–1 victory over Tunisia in Miami. An early own goal from Tunisian captain Ellyes Skhiri in the 3rd minute set the tone, before Ajax striker Brian Brobbey headed in a second just four minutes later from Virgil van Dijk's assist. Hazem Mastouri pulled one back for Tunisia in the 52nd minute with a towering header from a corner, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion six minutes later. The Oranje top Group F with a perfect nine points.
Match of the Day
What It Means — Qualification Summary
| Group | Team | Status | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | United States | ✅ Qualified | Group Winner |
| D | Türkiye | ✅ Qualified | Runner-Up |
| D | Australia | ✅ Qualified | Best 3rd Place |
| D | Paraguay | ✅ Qualified | Best 3rd Place |
| E | Germany | ✅ Qualified | Group Winner |
| E | Ivory Coast | ✅ Qualified | Runner-Up |
| E | Ecuador | ✅ Qualified | Best 3rd Place |
| E | Curaçao | ❌ Eliminated | 4th Place |
| F | Netherlands | ✅ Qualified | Group Winner |
| F | Japan | ✅ Qualified | Runner-Up |
| F | Sweden | ✅ Qualified | Best 3rd Place |
| F | Tunisia | ❌ Eliminated | 4th Place |
Germany advance as Group E winners despite their shock Matchday 3 defeat — their early wins banked enough points to top the table. For Curaçao, the tournament ends after a historic debut in which goalkeeper Eloy Room's extraordinary performance in an earlier match captured global attention. Tunisia, despite Japan's record-breaking 4–0 win over them, showed resilience by scoring against a dominant Netherlands side.
Today's Upcoming Matches — June 26
Day 16 features Groups G, H, and I completing their group stages simultaneously:
- 19:00 UTC — Norway vs France · Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Group I)
- 19:00 UTC — Senegal vs Iraq · BMO Field, Toronto (Group I)
- 00:00 UTC (June 27) — Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia · NRG Stadium, Houston (Group H)
- 00:00 UTC (June 27) — Uruguay vs Spain · Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Group H)
- 03:00 UTC (June 27) — Egypt vs Iran · Lumen Field, Seattle (Group G)
- 03:00 UTC (June 27) — New Zealand vs Belgium · BC Place, Vancouver (Group G)
The standout fixture is Mbappé's France facing Haaland's Norway in a potential classic at Gillette Stadium, while Lamine Yamal and Spain take on Uruguay at the Azteca — a tie with enormous historical resonance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arda Güler scored in the 10th minute, Orkun Kökçü added a second in the 31st, and Kaan Ayhan sealed the win with a dramatic goal in the 90+8th minute of stoppage time. For the USA, Auston Trusty scored in the 3rd minute and Sebastian Berhalter equalised at 49'.
No — Germany finished as Group E winners on points despite losing to Ecuador 2–1 on Matchday 3. They advance to the Round of 32 and will face an opponent from another group in the knockout stage.
No. June 25, 2026 marks the first time in their history that Ivory Coast have advanced to the Round of 32 at a FIFA World Cup, making it a landmark moment for the AFCON champions and for African football as a whole.
Netherlands (group winners, 9 pts), Japan (runners-up), and Sweden (third-place, advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams). Tunisia were eliminated.