United States men’s national team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as Gregg Berhalter’s replacement in September 2024 with one eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now, he has opened up about his team’s chances at the tournament.
USMNT Boss Optimistic About 2026 FIFA World Cup
During a recent appearance on ‘The High Performance Podcast’, Pochettino insisted that the USMNT has every chance of winning its maiden FIFA World Cup this summer. The Argentine also revealed his conversation with President Donald Trump about the tournament.
“At the draw of the World Cup, I met Donald Trump for a few minutes. He asked me, ‘What do you think coach? Can you win the World Cup?’ I said, ‘Of course, Mr. President’. Because it’s the USA. The American dream is there. The American culture is about being first, being number one,” the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) boss said.
Pochettino, who has guided the USMNT to 14 wins in 22 matches in charge, insisted he and his coaching team have instilled confidence in the USMNT of late.
“When we accepted the challenge to go there, it was because we really believe that we can win (the World Cup). After a year and a half working there, people start to feel that we can win. The last few camps in October and November… we competed against very good teams and we started to show that possibility to perform well,” Pochettino added.
The USMNT is currently unbeaten in its last five games, having beaten Uruguay and Paraguay last November. It will face Paraguay again in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while also locking horns with Australia and the UEFA Playoff C winner.
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Pochettino also clarified that for his team to succeed in the famed quadrennial tournament, set to begin on Jun. 11, fans must bring their energy and support.
“We are going to have the support of a massive country and all its fans. To try and push us to run, score goals, and make tackles. I think that will be a massive boost for us,” the 53-year-old former PSG and RCD Espanyol defender concluded.
So far in his managerial career, Pochettino has won three silverware. He helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title in 2022, the Coupe de France in 2021, and the Trophée des Champions in 2021 before departing at the end of the 2021-22 season in July 2022.
