Pochettino Named USMNT Coach Through 2026 World Cup

On Tuesday, Mauricio Pochettino was officially appointed as the new head coach of the United States men's national team.

Pochettino, who has managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, signed a contract that will see him guide the team through the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to a statement from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The contract extends for two years, as reported by Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. Pochettino is scheduled to be introduced in a press conference on Friday, with his first game in charge expected to be a friendly against Panama on October 12.

The 52-year-old Argentine reportedly accepted the USMNT position nearly a month ago. His appointment was delayed in part due to the need to finalize a severance agreement with Chelsea, where he had been employed until May following a one-season tenure.

Pochettino replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after the United States' early exit from the group stage at this year's Copa America.

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker praised Pochettino's track record, stating, “Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams. His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”

Pochettino, who has previously managed high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Harry Kane, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, “I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

According to Carlisle, Pochettino will earn $6 million per year, making him the highest-paid coach in USMNT history. He is also the first foreign head coach of the team since Jurgen Klinsmann.

The U.S. Soccer Federation noted that Pochettino's appointment was supported significantly by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst.