USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes his side can go on to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Argentine claimed that fans would be expecting at least a quarterfinal, but wants them to dream bigger.
Speaking to Men In Balzers, Pochettino said that a quarterfinal run alone would not be ideal for the players and staff. He claimed that even a semifinal would not be enough to be deemed a successful run by the USMNT and said:
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“For sure, for the fans (quarterfinal would be great), but for the people yes for the people around us, no. To arrive and go to the semi final is going to be a very successful but still not enough I think in our mind people that are involved with the national team the US men national team we want to win the World Cup.”
He was quick to question why the USMNT cannot go all the way this summer. He does not think it will be hard for them because of the squad’s talent, adding that they have also worked hard to be successful.
“Why not? That’s what I always said to them, why not? why not? If we don’t believe and we don’t really work really hard to try to achieve that, that is not going to happen because no one is not a present that you are going to receive from nowhere. It’s important to really believe and work hard, you know, to do everything, you know, to be sure that we can be close to winning. Win the World Cup is the objective, being successful is to win the World Cup.”
Pocehttino joined the USMNT after parting ways with Chelsea in 2024. His contract expires after the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and he has been linked with a move back to European football.
Mauricio Pochettino to leave USMNT after FIFA World Cup?
Mauricio Pochettino has not signed a new deal with the USMNT and will be a free agent after the summer tournament ends. He has been linked with a back to European football.
AC Milan have held talks with the Argentine coach, as per reports in Italy. The San Siro side sacked Max Allegri after they finished sixth in the Serie A table, while Oliver Glasner has also been in talks.
Andoni Iraola was also linked with the move, but the Spaniard has since joined Liverpool.
Edited by Sripad