Fans give United States a cheerful sendoff to the World Cup knockout round

INGLEWOOD — Fans arriving at SoFi Stadium on Thursday for the United States’ final Group D matchup with Turkey in the FIFA World Cup were already in a celebratory mood.

There was a massive crowd at the fan zone outside the stadium. They could barely contain themselves, jumping up and down with “USA” chants that went on for hours before kickoff.

“It’s once in a lifetime,” said Marvin Carreon of Long Beach, dressed as Uncle Sam. “With what we paid to get in here, we’re going to soak up every dollar’s worth. It’s the best sporting event in the world, and we’re (United States) at home. I wasn’t going to miss this.”

Inside, big names were there too. Celebrities Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, were among the notable names in attendance. Former NBA champions and U.S. Olympic Gold medalists Scottie Pippen and Dwyane Wade were also cheering on the team, along with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell.

For the United States, there wasn’t the nervousness that normally comes with a World Cup game. Fans were there to cheer on a win, but also to give the United States an energy-packed sendoff to the next round.

The United States avoided any drama or nervous moments for Thursday’s game because the team took care of business in the previous rounds.

With group victories over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0), the back-to-back wins earned the United States the top spot in Group D. It was the first time Team USA has started a World Cup with back-to-back wins since the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

As a result, the Americans had already punched their ticket to the 32-team knockout round as the group winner, regardless of the outcome of Thursday match’s with Türkiye, a game they tied up, 2-2, a few minutes into the second half.

The United States will take on third-place Group B finisher Bosnia and Herzegovina in Wednesday’s round of 32 knockout opener at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

With get-in prices for Thursday’s U.S.-Türkiye game starting at $1,300, and some parking lots charging as much as $600, it was time to forget the cost and soak it all in.

And fans did just that.

Take Evan Harrison, for example. He flew in from Texas, spent the early part of his day at Six Flags Magic Mountain with his 11-year-old son, Cohen, then they navigated traffic to Inglewood for a dream trip to experience their first World Cup together.

Father and son wore matching American bald eagle hats and were hoping to give the United States a winning sendoff to the next round.

“We’re ready to enjoy it with the fans,” Evan Harrison said. “I know we (United States) advanced, but we’re not quite ready to celebrate yet. We won a couple matches, but we have to do well in the knockout rounds. We’ll see some new players on the pitch (tonight) and hopefully it will be a good experience.”

Evan Harrison flew in from Texas with his son Cohen. They spent the morning at Six Flags and finish the day at their first World Cup hoping for a United States victory. pic.twitter.com/vb26lEIOSJ

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) June 25, 2026

Marcus Rael brought his family of six from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and they weren’t going to miss a thing. They were first in line when the gates opened, with his son Alex draped with an American flag.

“It was a lifetime bucket list goal to always bring my kids to a U.S. World Cup game,” Rael said. “It meant a lot to do it and it’s probably the only time in my lifetime to be able to bring them, so we made it happen.”

Marcus Rael brought his family of six to cheer on the United States for Thursday’s World Cup game with Türkiye. They’re from Albuquerque.

His son Alex was emotional talking about the financial sacrifices his dad made.

“My dad’s worked his entire life to get us here,” Alex… pic.twitter.com/5HFqM6l5Kk

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) June 25, 2026

Alex Rael certainly appreciated the sacrifices his father had made for them to be at Thursday’s game. He was emotional talking about it.

“My dad’s worked his entire life to get us here,” Alex said. “This was one of his goals, to get us to a World Cup. He’s one of the biggest U.S. men’s soccer team fans I’ve ever seen in my life. He cares so much about the team and it’s a dream to be here with him.”

Friends Efrain Arellano from Florida and Alex Amurao from Washington, D.C., were in Seattle for the United States’ victory over Australia last week. They were decked out in USA face paint, ready to go again.

It’s the first World Cup both have attended and they weren’t necessarily in a celebratory mood before Thursday’s game. They wanted the United States to finish off group play with a bang.

“It’s all about momentum, you need to keep winning to get through,” Amurao said. “It’s all about playing well, despite the fact that we’re through. It’s still important.”

Arrellano said he hoped his energy was contagious.

“It’s important the guys sitting on the bench get a chance to play and feel the atmosphere,” Arellano said. “I’m going to bring it, so hopefuly they enjoy it.”

Efren Arellano and his buddy Alex Amurao were decked out in America’s colors. They were in no celebratory mood yet, they want the United States to finish off Group D with a bang. pic.twitter.com/qRakLWGuAa

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) June 25, 2026