Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to extend his contract as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team through the 2030 World Cup, officials announced Monday. This decision follows shortly after the 54-year-old Argentine coach led the U.S. team to the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, which took place on home ground.
U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson stated, “Mauricio and his staff are committed to the future of soccer in the U.S. Our new project aims to build on the progress of the USMNT and capitalize on the momentum of U.S. Soccer.” Batson emphasized, “We have a lot of work ahead to achieve our goals, such as winning Men’s World Cups and making soccer the most played sport in every community. I’m thrilled Mauricio and the team are committed to partnering with us in this effort.”
Before joining the U.S. men’s program in 2024, Pochettino coached high-profile clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. The U.S. team, under his leadership, experienced mixed results initially, with a record of 15-10-1 leading into the 2026 World Cup. However, praise for his attacking tactics grew as the U.S. team excelled in the group stage, achieving a team record for goals. They defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 before facing a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
During a press conference before an international friendly against Germany at the Endeavor Health Performance Center on June 5 in Chicago, Illinois, Pochettino expressed his gratitude for the working relationship he developed with U.S. Soccer leadership. The organization extended his contract before the 2026 World Cup, reflecting their confidence in his abilities. Despite his Argentine roots, Pochettino endeared himself to U.S. fans by singing the team’s anthem, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” on the field after matches.
The new contract ensures that the U.S. retains a skilled coach with hopes of continuing the team’s recent improvements. In July, Pochettino remarked that the U.S. team was in disarray following the 2025 Gold Cup. “I am so proud because in one year … this team showed we can play football, we can play soccer, we can compete,” he stated on July 5. “We need to keep improving.”
Though specific terms of Pochettino’s new deal remain undisclosed, his initial contract reportedly provided a base salary of around $6 million annually, the largest sum ever for a U.S. soccer coach. To secure Pochettino from club positions in 2024, U.S. Soccer enlisted private investors, including Ken Griffin, to fund his salary.
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