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CHICAGO, IL–It’s finally official, Mauricio Pochettino will become the new coach of the Men’s National Team after signing a two-year deal that will have him lead the team through the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. His first match in charge will be the October 12th friendly vs. Panama in Austin, TX.
“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said in a statement. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
The announcement was delayed due to ongoing negotiations with compensation from Chelsea after his sacking on May 21st of this year. Other coaching stops include Tottenham Hotspur (2014-2019) and Paris-St. Germain (2021-2022).
According to ESPN, Pochettino’s salary will be six million dollars per year. US Soccer acknowledged that Pochettino’s appointment was “supported by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, Founder and CEO of Citadel and Founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support has been provided by Scott Goodwin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners.”
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker who worked with Pochettino when they were both at Southampton. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
COMMENT: This is clearly a step up in class as far as the coaching goes. The USMNT need a boost (some say a light under their feet) after a disastrous showing at Copa America. The task for Pochettino will be to get the USMNT from Point B to Point C. By Point B, it’s the knockout stage of a World Cup. Point C is beyond and becoming a more relevant force in international soccer. The USA last made it beyond the second round of the World Cup in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals at the expense of Mexico. Their best showing since was a fourth place at the Copa America Centenario in 2016 which was hosted here.
The USA has some talented players without question. Can Pochettino make them play to their potential? That will be the question as we head to the 2026 World Cup.
