Overview
- Pochettino told U.S. Soccer he is “open” to a new contract and discussed the position with reporters in a roundtable on Tuesday, June 23, but he asked that formal negotiations be deferred until the World Cup ends.
- The U.S. men have clinched a place in the knockout rounds by topping their World Cup group, their first group win since 2010, and they scored six goals in the opening two matches.
- Pochettino credits a deliberate cultural and organizational overhaul for the turnaround, including higher training standards, tougher selection, and regular challenges to both players and the federation after a poor run in early 2025.
- He says rebuilding the bond between the team and American fans is his preferred legacy, pointing to a dramatic shift in home support from sparse crowds in 2025 to loud, engaged crowds at SoFi Stadium this month.
- Pochettino’s European résumé and reported spring talks with AC Milan mean outside offers are likely after the World Cup, a factor U.S. Soccer must weigh when it begins post-tournament contract discussions.