United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino remains focused on winning the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing the need for players to “think big.”
Despite not having reached the World Cup quarterfinals since their stellar 2002 campaign, Pochettino believes the team should aim for victory when the tournament is co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico next year.
The Argentine coach pointed to the example of Morocco, which unexpectedly advanced to the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, showcasing the power of a winning mindset.
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“For me, it’s about winning. If you don’t win, what does it matter? Nobody remembers who comes in second,” Pochettino stated in an interview with Andrés Cantor for “Futbol de Primera,” released this week.
“I believe we should aspire to victory. If we reach the semifinals or quarterfinals but don’t win, it’s easy to find reasons why we didn’t succeed. We must give ourselves credit, but we should have the ambition to pursue a championship,” he added.
Using Morocco’s performance in Qatar as a case study, Pochettino stressed that their success stemmed from a mentality centered around winning. “Spain—a formidable opponent—was eliminated by them. This mentality is crucial, especially playing in our own country, where thinking big can lay the foundation for establishing football as a lasting fixture in our culture.”
Since taking over after the USMNT’s disappointing Copa América performance last year, Pochettino has consistently highlighted the role of a strong mentality and culture in the national team, focusing on continuous improvement both on and off the field.
“The turmoil began before I arrived. The storm was likely the reason they sought us out. I often liken it to steering a ship through a storm; a new captain must take responsibility and guide the vessel through rough waters,” he explained.
Pochettino mentioned a pivotal moment when the team lost the 2025 Gold Cup to their rivals, Mexico, falling 2-1 on July 6. He insists that the team has since discovered its competitive edge.
“Based on our recent performances, especially post-Gold Cup, I believe we’ve found a way to compete and elevate our standards,” Pochettino remarked. “We’ve discussed concepts that are now ingrained in our team. This reflects the strength we want to continue demonstrating, even as these upcoming games serve as tests and opportunities for many players vying for spots on the national team ahead of the World Cup, which inherently involves risk.”
Following the defeat to Mexico, the USMNT has achieved a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Pochettino recently guided the team to an impressive 5-1 triumph over Uruguay, with goals scored by Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann, Alex Freeman, and Sebastian Berhalter surprising Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.
Nonetheless, Pochettino has faced criticism during his tenure with the USMNT.
“Some coaches within the United States have criticized me unjustifiably. I would never criticize another coach,” he stated. “I understand how challenging it is to be a coach.”
“If someone comes from a non-football background and critiques me for my lack of understanding of U.S. culture because we lost a couple of matches or faced last-minute defeats against Panama and Canada, that seems more about exploiting the situation rather than a true understanding of the sport.”
ESPN has reported that the USMNT will face European teams Portugal and Belgium in March, marking their final matches before Pochettino announces the squad for the World Cup.