​Mauricio Pochettino has injected remarkable energy into the USMNT since taking the helm at the end of 2024. In his first World Cup with the United States, the Argentine manager emerged as the club’s most successful coach, guiding the team to multiple victories over Paraguay, Australia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Americans’ tournament run ended in the Round of 16 after a 4-1 loss to Belgium, delivering a disappointing finale to what was otherwise a memorable World Cup experience. Looking ahead, the U.S. hopes to reach its first quarterfinals since 2002 in 2030.
It remains uncertain whether Pochettino will be at the helm for the next World Cup cycle. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss declined to disclose his future plans following Monday’s defeat, choosing instead to emphasize the foundation he believes he has helped establish for American soccer. “I think we set the principles for the future to be very successful,” Pochettino told ESPN. “I think we feel proud because … I think we’ll create something that is going to stay now in the federation and in this country.”
Whether the United States can sustain the current momentum if Pochettino departs remains to be seen. Off the field, the coach is earning a $6 million annual base salary, according to the most recent financial disclosures from U.S. Soccer.
This reimagined piece originally appeared on For The Win: Will Mauricio Pochettino coach USA after 2026 World Cup? as part of its SEO strategy. The narrative highlights Pochettino’s influence, the team’s World Cup run, and the ongoing question of leadership beyond the 2026 tournament, while underscoring the broader implications for American soccer’s trajectory.