The USMNT is under a lot of pressure going into the FIFA World Cup summer, when the United States hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has now sent a clear message to his players as he prepares the final squad.
USMNT Warned by Mauricio Pochettino Ahead of FIFA World Cup
Pochettino has previously said that he does not want his players to set any targets at the FIFA World Cup. He believes they need to focus on winning the next match, and nothing should be seen as an achievement before the tournament.
The Argentine coach has not yet picked his squad, but he has been experimenting with over 70 players since taking over in 2024. He has admitted that he “has a good idea” of the players he will call up, as he is keeping an eye on their club performances.
He has issued a key warning to the players, saying he wants to take a team into the tournament that will be willing to work together. The former Chelsea coach was adamant that talent alone would not get anyone a ticket to the World Cup, and he is not scared to drop a highly talented star from the squad if he doesn’t seem willing to embrace a team-first philosophy.
The coach has a ‘no egos’ policy in place and said: “When we talk about the World Cup, it’s about [building] a team that wants to perform without egos. To perform for the badge, not for the name on the back. … Always prioritize the team, the group and that is more important than to only see the talent of the player. You can have an amazing, talented player, but if he doesn’t want to play for the team … it’s only a player that doesn’t add real quality.”
Pochettino has admitted he is also keeping tabs on injured players like Tyler Adams, Ricardo Pepi, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, though he is unsure whether they will be able to make it into the squad for the USMNT’s friendlies in March.
Weston McKennie is another player who is on his radar, and Pochettino is hoping that the Juventus star is fit enough in the summer.
The coach was also asked for comments on the ticket prices but refused to comment, sidestepping the question and saying he was not a politician.
