Mauricio Pochettino's USA have won every knockout test since the group stage: after topping Group D by beating Australia 2-0 on 19 June, they beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32 on 1 July despite playing the last 26 minutes with ten men after Folarin Balogun's red card. Pochettino now prepares to face Belgium in the round of 16 with Balogun restored after FIFA suspended the striker's ban on 6 July following a reported call from President Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino; Pochettino welcomed the reversal, saying 'we celebrate the decision.'

Pochettino is an Argentine manager appointed US head coach in September 2023 to lead the co-host nation at the World Cup. He built his reputation at Tottenham Hotspur (2014-2019), reaching a Champions League final, before spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea ended without silverware.

His PATH here was uneven: heavy defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March friendlies brought sharp scrutiny before he settled his system and personnel with a 3-2 win over Senegal on 31 May, naming a 4-3-3 back four of Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie. That settled side, one of the youngest the US have sent to a World Cup, has now carried the co-hosts into the last 16.

Common Questions

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.

Who does the USA play before the 2026 World Cup?

The USMNT play two pre-tournament friendlies: Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte, and Germany on 6 June in Chicago. The World Cup opener against Paraguay is on 11 June.Source: US Soccer

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

When is the USMNT squad announced for the 2026 World Cup?

The squad announcement is expected in late May 2026. Pochettino faces key decisions on Sergiño Dest's fitness and whether to include him despite a hamstring injury, as well as managing Christian Pulisic's form going into the tournament.Source: US Soccer

Did Pochettino ever win a trophy?

No major trophies as manager. 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 domestic dominance.

When does Pochettino announce the USMNT World Cup squad?

26 May 2026. The final 26-man squad will be named five days before the first pre-tournament friendly against Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte.Source: Lowdown briefing U#11

What are Pochettino's remaining selection questions for the 2026 World Cup squad?

Four: centre-back depth after Patrick Agyemang's Achilles injury, Gio Reyna's fitness, the midfield pairing, and whether to use a four- or five-back defensive system.Source: Lowdown briefing U#11

Where did Mauricio Pochettino manage before the USMNT?

Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur (2014-2019, Champions League finalist), Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea before taking the US job in September 2023.Source: entity background

Who does the USMNT play before the 2026 World Cup?

Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte, then Germany on 6 June in Chicago, before the World Cup opener against Paraguay on 12 June at SoFi Stadium.Source: Lowdown briefing U#6

What formation is Pochettino using at the 2026 World Cup?

Pochettino confirmed a 4-3-3 with a back four (Ream and McKenzie as the centre-back pair) against Senegal on 31 May 2026. After six weeks of uncertainty over whether he would use four or five defenders, Charlotte settled it.Source: Lowdown

How has Pochettino done as USMNT manager?

Mixed results leading into the tournament: a 2-5 loss to Belgium and 0-2 to Portugal in March 2026 raised serious questions, but he resolved his system and selections against Senegal on 31 May, winning 3-2 with a settled 4-3-3.Source: Lowdown

Who did Pochettino pick as the USMNT centre-backs for the World Cup?

Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie are Pochettino's confirmed centre-back pair, starting together for the fifth time against Senegal on 31 May 2026. The pair conceded once from a Miles Robinson error but held the structure across a 3-2 win.Source: Lowdown

How is the USA doing at the 2026 World Cup?

The co-hosts have won every game since their opener: they beat Paraguay 4-1, Australia 2-0, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the round of 16 against Belgium.Source: Lowdown

What did Pochettino say about Balogun's ban being lifted?

Pochettino said 'we celebrate the decision' after FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's red-card ban on 6 July, clearing him to face Belgium.Source: Lowdown

Source Material

Mauricio Pochettino appointed USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino — US Soccer Official Profile Mauricio Pochettino — Wikipedia

How the World Sees Them

England

English football knows Pochettino from five years at Tottenham and one at Chelsea. The US draw alongside England in Group D makes his Premier League connections a storyline the English press will follow through the group stage.

Argentina

Argentina regards Pochettino as one of its accomplished coaching exports, though his profile sits in the shadow of Scaloni's World Cup-winning cycle. His decision to lead a rival confederation's host nation drew little controversy domestically.

United States

The Charlotte win converted pre-tournament anxiety into cautious confidence. Three open questions resolved; the remaining risks (Adams staying fit across a full tournament, the Ream-McKenzie axis holding against elite forwards) are real but manageable, not existential.

World Cup opponents

Pochettino's tactical answer is now public: a settled back four in a 4-3-3, with Pulisic as the attacking pin and Adams as the midfield shield. Opponents can prepare for this shape directly. The variable is whether he departs from it when the tournament pressure rises.