The Only Jewish Player at the 2026 World Cup: Matt Turner’s Inspiring Journey as USA Goalkeeper
Meet Matt Turner, the Jewish-rooted U.S. goalkeeper carrying a remarkable family story into the 2026 World Cup, from Lithuanian emigration papers to the world's biggest stage.
When the U.S. Men’s National Team took the field for their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12 (winning convincingly 4-1), one standout story quietly stood out for Jewish fans worldwide: Goalkeeper Matt Turner, the lone Jewish player on the U.S. roster, and quite possibly the only one in the entire 48-team tournament, per JTA.
Turner, 31, from New Jersey, is back for his second World Cup after starring in Qatar 2022. Though he didn’t start the opener (Matt Freese got the nod), his presence on the squad and personal journey make him a source of pride for the Jewish community.
Discovering His Jewish Roots
Turner grew up in a mixed household - Jewish father, Catholic mother - but didn’t fully connect with his heritage until a life-changing moment in 2015. While cleaning out his late grandfather’s house with his father Stuart, they uncovered old emigration papers belonging to his paternal great-grandmother, Taube Sobel.
Those documents revealed she fled Lithuania in 1921, just ahead of the Holocaust that would claim over 150,000 Lithuanian Jews. The family name had been Anglicized from “Turnovski” at Ellis Island.
“Once I found the documents, I was certainly very, very excited,” Turner told JTA. “America, in general, it’s a melting pot, and everybody has those roots elsewhere. So to understand your story, your history, a little bit is really nice.”
The discovery deepened his connection: “The more my father and I dug, the more we learned, the more connected I felt to my Jewish side, the Jewish culture of my family. It really changed a lot of me.”
It also gave him a Lithuanian passport (thanks to EU rules), opening doors for his European soccer career.
From Late Bloomer to World Cup Star
Turner didn’t start playing soccer seriously until age 16, inspired by Landon Donovan’s dramatic 2010 World Cup goal. Undrafted out of Fairfield University, he worked his way up through the New England Revolution, becoming MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021. He shone in 2022 with back-to-back clean sheets against England and Iran, the first American keeper to achieve that in a World Cup since 1930.
Now with the New England Revolution again, Turner brings experience, leadership, and that signature work ethic to the 2026 squad.
“I’ll probably cry when the national anthem goes,” he said recently. “It’s just such a huge honor, overwhelming honor, to be granted that responsibility.”
Proudly Jewish, Raising the Next Generation
Turner identifies as Jewish and has spoken proudly about his heritage. He and his wife Ashley (who is Catholic, like his mother) are raising their children with openness to both faiths, emphasizing shared values.
“The general foundations of both religions are the same, and the values of marriage would be the same,” he has said. “I think it’s really great to have religion as a guideline because having faith and values and seeing the bigger picture are what we believe.”
Why This Story Matters for Jewish Fans
In a World Cup without Israel (which last qualified in 1970), Turner represents Jewish resilience and achievement on the global stage. As the U.S. hosts and competes at home, his story reminds fans that Jewish contributions to American sports run deep, even if quietly.
Stay tuned as the tournament progresses. Whether Turner steps between the posts or supports from the bench, he’s already a champion for Jewish pride.