Mauricio Pochettino will continue to lead the U.S. soccer team, signing a four-year contract on Monday to coach through the 2030 World Cup. Pochettino, 54, joined as head coach in October 2024 and guided the team to the round of 16 in this year’s World Cup. Though co-hosts with Belgium, the U.S. lost 4-1, they set new records in the expanded 48-nation tournament. They advanced past the group stage with a game to spare and won three matches in a single World Cup, engaging American fans both in stadiums and via record TV audiences.
Pochettino highlighted the connection formed with fans and the organization during the World Cup. “The magic that happened, the connection with the people, and the organization were key,” he said in a Zoom conference from Barcelona, Spain. The U.S. has reached the quarterfinals once since 2002 but has lost four subsequent round-of-16 matches. “We learned that we can compete, we have the quality and talent,” Pochettino added. “We’re closing the gap with the world’s best teams.”
Pochettino believes in the potential for U.S. soccer to grow and become prominent in American sports, akin to its status globally. He stated, “We have players and an organization that can compete with the best.” He also praised American fans for their enthusiasm, noting that discovering the sport has excited them immensely.
Looking ahead, Pochettino views this as a new beginning for the U.S. team, which needs more depth in positions like goalkeeper and central defender. “We must provide opportunities for young talent to develop by 2030,” he stressed.
Before the U.S., Pochettino coached Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. He replaced Gregg Berhalter in 2024 with an initial contract through the 2026 World Cup. Discussions of an extension had surfaced prior to the tournament. Pochettino mentioned the potential move to the U.S. but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of soccer, “Four years is long; anything can happen,” remarking on the changeable perceptions of his leadership.
Pochettino has led the U.S. to 17 wins, 13 losses, and one draw, with 23 out of 62 players contributing to 57 goals. USSF CEO JT Batson emphasized the ambition of winning Men’s World Cups and making soccer widely played in communities. Hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, among others, financially supports Pochettino’s contract, which brought him over $5 million in initial earnings per U.S. Soccer Federation records.
Historically, U.S. coaches have struggled over a second World Cup cycle. Bruce Arena did not advance the team past the group stage in 2006 after a 2002 quarterfinal run. Bob Bradley took the team to the round of 16 in 2010 but was fired after failing to win subsequent tournaments. Jurgen Klinsmann, extended through 2018, was dismissed after poor qualification performances, and Gregg Berhalter was released post the 2022 round of 16 appearance. Pochettino declared a more demanding approach, focusing on building from the ground up.