Mauricio Pochettino nearing new deal to stay as United States manager through 2030 FIFA World Cup
BUENA VISTA, Maine — After weeks of speculation following the United States Men's National Team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it appears Mauricio Pochettino will remain at the helm of the American squad.
Multiple reports, including confirmation from Telemundo broadcaster Andres Cantor, indicate that Pochettino and U.S. Soccer are nearing agreement on a new contract that would keep the Argentine coach with the USMNT through the 2030 World Cup cycle. U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson acknowledged the ongoing discussions in a recent statement, signaling the federation's desire to maintain continuity with the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager.
"From a men's national team coaching standpoint, we're in active discussions with Mauricio and staff about the future," Batson said. "We all share a belief that the best days of U.S. Soccer are ahead of us, and they're excited about the opportunity to impact soccer at all levels in every community."
Pochettino, 54, took time away from the sport following the team's quarterfinal exit at the hands of Belgium, a 4-1 defeat in Seattle that left many fans and analysts questioning whether the tournament should be considered a success or a disappointment.
The Americans delivered a dominant showing in the group stage, dismantling Paraguay 4-1 before defeating Australia 2-0 to clinch the top spot in their bracket. They advanced past Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, though the victory was overshadowed by a contentious red card issued to forward Folarin Balogun that drew sharp criticism from UEFA.
The Belgium match proved to be the team's undoing. The Red Devils proved far too strong, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that Pochettino was unable to address despite tactical adjustments in the second half.
"Right now, it's about resting a little bit, to think, have conversations with the federation to see what the decision is," Pochettino said after the loss. "I'm so happy. We've built a very good relationship."
The potential return comes despite a crowded managerial market. Several high-profile coaches—including Jürgen Klopp, now leading the German national team, and Carlo Ancelotti, who took over Brazil—would seemingly be unavailable. Spain's Luis de la Fuente and France's Didier Deschamps remain with their respective defending champions.
Supporters of retaining Pochettino point to the improved style of play and tactical discipline displayed throughout the tournament, arguing that the Belgium loss reflected individual errors rather than coaching deficiencies. Center-back Tim Ream, 38, and goalkeeper Matt Freese were particularly criticized for costly mistakes in the defeat.
The USMNT's performance represented a significant leap from recent World Cup showings, with aggressive attacking soccer replacing the conservative approaches of previous cycles. The federation appears to believe that continuity will be essential as the team prepares for the 2030 tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Pochettino's ability to develop young talent and work with dual-national players has been cited as a key factor in the decision. The coach has reportedly maintained relationships with several promising players who have yet to fully commit to representing the United States internationally.
A formal announcement regarding Pochettino's new contract is expected within the coming weeks.