When the United States men's national soccer team took the field against Paraguay in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday night, goalkeeper Matt Turner stood out not only for his role on the pitch but also as the only Jewish player on Team USA. Turner may be the sole Jewish athlete competing in this year’s tournament, which is a joint event hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—the first World Cup held across three countries and expanding to 48 teams.

Israel did not qualify for the tournament, marking another absence since their last appearance in 1970. Geopolitical challenges have influenced Israel’s soccer trajectory, with its federation competing in UEFA rather than the Asian confederation due to regional politics.

Turner, 31, a native of New Jersey, uncovered his Jewish heritage relatively recently upon discovering his paternal great-grandmother’s emigration records, which documented her escape from Lithuania during the Holocaust. This discovery deepened his connection to his Jewish roots and allowed him to obtain Lithuanian citizenship, facilitating professional opportunities across Europe.

"Once I found the documents, I was certainly very, very excited," Turner said in a 2023 interview. He described this revelation as a meaningful journey into understanding his family’s history and culture. Turner noted that the ongoing exploration with his father strengthened his ties to his Jewish identity.

Currently playing for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, Turner has established himself as a prominent figure in US soccer. During the 2022 World Cup, he started all four US matches and was the first American goalkeeper since 1930 to record consecutive shutouts in the tournament. His international career includes 53 appearances, a 29-16-8 record, and 27 clean sheets. Turner has also played in the English Premier League and earned the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2021.

Despite his strong track record, Turner is not expected to be the starting goalkeeper this World Cup, with a rising teammate taking the lead. Nonetheless, Turner expressed profound pride at representing his country again. "I’ll probably cry when the national anthem goes," he told FOX Sports. "It’s just such a huge honor—overwhelming honor—to be granted that responsibility... to change soccer here forever."

While Jewish players on the field remain scarce this tournament, another familiar Jewish presence will be audible throughout the event. Andres Cantor, an Argentine-born broadcaster known for his signature “Gooooooal” calls that helped popularize soccer in the US, will return to cover his twelfth consecutive World Cup this summer. Cantor, whose family fled Nazi persecution in Poland and Romania, has long embraced his Jewish heritage alongside his celebrated broadcasting career.

The 2026 World Cup, running through July 19, marks a historic moment for the sport in North America and provides a platform for diverse stories such as Turner’s to come to the forefront.