Mauricio Pochettino
Argentine manager leading the US men's national team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as co-hosts.
Last refreshed: 29 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Pochettino turn a patchwork US squad into a World Cup contender on home soil?
Latest on Mauricio Pochettino
- Who is the US football manager for the 2026 World Cup?
- Mauricio Pochettino, an Argentine manager appointed in September 2023. He previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
- How did the US do against Belgium in March 2026?
- The US lost 2-5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 28 March 2026, their worst home defeat when scoring first since 1959. Four first-choice defenders were absent through injury.Source: event
- Did Pochettino ever win a trophy?
- No major trophies. He reached the 2019 Champions League final with Tottenham (lost to Liverpool) and won Ligue 1 with PSG in 2022, though that is not considered a significant achievement given PSG's dominance. Chelsea and Tottenham ended without silverware.
- Who is the US playing at the 2026 World Cup?
- The United States is drawn alongside England in their group. The tournament opens on 11 June with the US as co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico.
Background
Mauricio Pochettino is an Argentine manager appointed US head coach in September 2023, tasked with leading the co-host nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He built his reputation at Tottenham Hotspur (2014-2019), transforming a mid-table club into a Champions League finalist. Subsequent spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea ended without silverware.
Pochettino's US squad lost 2-5 to Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 28 March 2026, the worst home defeat when scoring first since 1959, with four first-choice defenders absent through injury . Christian Pulisic extended his international goal drought to seven appearances , sharpening scrutiny ahead of the late-May roster cuts.
The Belgium result exposed how dependent the squad is on a thin core of European-based players, particularly the injured Tyler Adams in defensive midfield. With the World Cup opening in June and the US drawn alongside England, Pochettino faces mounting pressure to demonstrate his squad can compete at tournament level on home soil.
