In a move that has sent shockwaves through the soccer world, former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT). This appointment comes 21 months before the Americans host the 2026 World Cup, placing Pochettino at the helm of a team brimming with ambition and potential.
The 52-year-old Argentine becomes the 10th U.S. coach in the last 14 years, and the first foreign-born leader since Jurgen Klinsmann held the position from 2011 to 2016. Pochettino brings a wealth of experience from his stints with clubs like Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and most recently, Chelsea. His career is marked by a consistent ability to build cohesive, competitive teams and foster the growth of young talent, qualities that are sure to be invaluable to the USMNT as they aim for World Cup glory on home soil.
The appointment of Pochettino signals a bold and ambitious step by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), a move fueled by the organization’s belief that the current player pool possesses the potential to achieve far greater heights than its current No. 16 world ranking.
Pochettino’s arrival follows the firing of Gregg Berhalter in July, a decision made after the Americans were eliminated in the first round of the Copa America. Despite a successful run that included reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup, Berhalter’s tenure ended with a sense of unfinished business.
Pochettino’s contract details haven’t been disclosed, but the USSF confirmed that he will be leading the team at the World Cup. His arrival is backed by a leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, and additional support from Scott Goodwin of Diameter Capital Partners, as well as USSF commercial partners.
The team will be under Pochettino’s guidance for a series of friendlies against Panama and Mexico in October, followed by the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in November. This is just the beginning of a journey that promises to be both challenging and exhilarating for the USMNT, with Pochettino at the helm, the team aims to harness its potential and establish itself as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
