Still, he helped the seeded U.S. to a pair of firsts in the expanded 48-nation tournament, clinching advancement from the group stage with a game to spare and winning three games in a single World Cup. The team captivated American fans with excited audiences in stadiums and record television viewers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe magic thing that happened during the World Cup, the connection with the people, of course with the whole organization and everything was a key point,\u201d Pochettino said during a Zoom news conference from his home in Barcelona, Spain.<\/p>\n
Hedge fund manager Ken Griffin is again the lead philanthropic funder supporting Pochettino\u2019s contract.\u00a0Pochettino earned just over $5 million<\/a>\u00a0in his first seven months as coach, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation tax return.<\/p>\n Since reaching the quarterfinals in 2002, the U.S. has lost four straight round-of-16 games.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we learn(ed) is that we can compete, that we have the quality and we have the talent,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cWe were so close. That gap with the best teams in the world is not too big.\u201d<\/p>\n Pochettino said there is potential to make soccer in the U.S. \u201cgrow and grow and grow and be one of the important sport(s) in America, like it is in the rest of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have players and organization that can compete with the best organization in the world in that sport,\u201d he said. \u201cWe learned that the fans are amazing and when they were so excited to discover a sport that made our fans become crazy, no? The connection was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Pochettino views the next cycle as a new start for a program lacking quality depth at goalkeeper and central defender.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is going to be important to provide the young kids that we really believe that they have the potential to arrive in 2030, in four years, to start to work and start to know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Before taking the U.S. job, Pochettino coached Espanyol (2009-12), Southampton (2013-14), Tottenham (2014-19), Paris Saint-Germain (2021-22) and Chelsea (2023-24).<\/p>\n When\u00a0Pochettino replaced Gregg Berhalter two years ago<\/a>, he signed an initial contract through the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino said ahead of the tournament that he had discussed a possible new deal with the USSF. He also said in May that\u00a0his agent had spoken with AC Milan<\/a>, a club that then\u00a0hired R\u00faben Amorim<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pochettino, who has homes in Spain and London, said he may move to the U.S. He intends to stay with the American team until 2030 but left himself an out.<\/p>\n \u201cFour years time is a really long period. You never know what can happen in soccer,\u201d he said. \u201cToday people really love you. In eight weeks time, maybe that change(s), that feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n He has led the U.S. to 17 wins (including a penalty-kicks victory), 13 losses and one draw. Twenty-three of 62 players to appear under Pochettino have accounted for the team\u2019s 57 goals.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know we have a lot of work to do to achieve our clear ambitions, including competing to win Men\u2019s World Cups and having soccer become the most played sport in every community,\u201d USSF CEO JT Batson said in a statement.<\/p>\n U.S. coaches have not been successful when they remained for a second World Cup cycle.<\/p>\n After leading the Americans to the 2002 quarterfinals, Bruce Arena was unable to get his team past the group stage in 2006.<\/p>\n Bob Bradley helped the U.S. reach the round of 16 in 2010, then was\u00a0fired a year later<\/a>\u00a0after the team lost the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.<\/p>\n Jurgen Klinsmann took over<\/a>\u00a0and in December 2013 was given an\u00a0extension through the 2018 World Cup<\/a>. The Americans reached the round of 16 in 2014 but\u00a0Klinsmann was fired in late 2016<\/a>\u00a0after the U.S. lost its first two games in the final round of qualifying. Arena returned but the\u00a0U.S. failed to reach the 2018 World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Berhalter was hired in late 2018<\/a>\u00a0and led the Americans to the round of 16 in 2022. Given a\u00a0new contract in 2023<\/a>, he was\u00a0fired a year later<\/a>\u00a0after the U.S. failed to advanced past the group stage of the Copa America.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to demand more from them,\u201d he said of the players. \u201cWe are not going to be in some situation(s) not flexible like we were because before it was (for) the benefit of players, benefit of structures that were already built. But now it\u2019s about to start the house from zero.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785766869_717_AP26188081993947.jpg\")
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks to his players after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Nick Didlick)<\/p>\n