The road to the 2026 World Cup for the United States men’s national team has a new leader in Mauricio Pochettino, per multiple reports including the Athletic. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham, Southampton, and Espanyol manager was listed as one of the top targets for the U.S. Soccer Federation according to The Athletic and they’ve gotten their guy just in time for the September international window that will see the United States face Canada and New Zealand.
Pochettino will replace Gregg Berhalter who oversaw the USMNT from 2018 until July of 2024 when he was sacked due to the USMNT failing to get out of their group during the Copa America. That was the end of an era that saw Berhalter have the team regularly competitive in Concacaf, but he failed to take them further to compete against teams around the world.
In bringing in the Argentine, the USMNT will now have a coach that has coached some of the worlds best players and competed against some of the best teams as well. He’ll come in with high expectations, as just getting out of their group during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico won’t be good enough, but Pochettino will be aware of those expectations.
A manager who has a dynamic style, Pochettino’s press will suit the players in the squad well, and his use of wingers and wingbacks could bring the best out of Antonee Robinson and Christian Pulisic among others. He can be flexible if needed, utilizing a back three and his soccer is something that USMNT fans will hopefully enjoy as historically it’s pleasing on the eye and on the front foot.
While a national team manager’s job is to win games with the best group of players that they can select, Pochettino’s background in player development is also useful. Players have improved under his tutelage and with things such as January camp where the USMNT manager can take a look at domestic players for an extended period of time, his experience can be useful in suggesting areas where the future of American soccer can improve.
The speed of this hire showcases how important it is. Taking fewer than two months to bring in a new manager and ensuring that they’re in place when the new European season kicks off, Pochettino will have time to get around to see the players on his new team and prepare for that September international window.
Here are some important upcoming dates for the USMNT to keep in mind:
- Sept. 7, 2024: Friendly against Canada
- Sept. 10, 2024: Friendly against New Zealand
- Oct. 12, 2024: Friendly against Panama
- Nov. 11-19, 2024: Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals
- March 20, 2025: Concacaf Nations League semifinals
- March 23, 2025: Concacaf Nations League final
- June 11-July 19, 2026: World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
It’s a new era for the USMNT and an experienced manager will be overseeing it. While it will take time to determine if this is the right choice, U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker has done what he can to bring in someone who can take the USMNT to the next level.
