United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to continue leading the squad through the 2030 World Cup, U.S. Soccer announced on Aug. 3. The appointment extends the Argentine's stay with the program beyond his previous deal, which ran through the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino, 54, took over the U.S. team in 2024 after leaving Chelsea earlier that year. Known for favoring a high-pressing, attacking style, he guided the U.S. to the knockout stage at this year’s World Cup, advancing to the last 16.
Organizational statement
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson highlighted the federation's confidence in the direction set by Pochettino and his staff. Batson said the new agreement is intended to build on recent gains for the men’s national team and the wider momentum behind U.S. Soccer.
Tournament performance
During the tournament, the United States topped its group, finishing ahead of Australia, Paraguay and Turkey. The six points collected in group play were the highest total the men’s side has ever posted at the World Cup. The team then won its last-32 match against Bosnia before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16, a result that ended hopes of a deeper run on home soil.
"Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger," Pochettino said. "The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here."
Managerial background
Pochettino's managerial résumé includes several notable achievements at club level. As a former Argentina defender, he led Southampton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League in 2013 - the club's highest-ever finish at that time. He later guided Tottenham Hotspur to their first appearance in a Champions League final in 2019, and in 2022 he steered Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title.
His tenure at Chelsea ended by mutual consent in 2024 following a turbulent campaign, though the club recovered late to finish sixth in the league.
Outlook
The extended contract commits Pochettino and his staff to a multi-year project aimed at building on the World Cup experience. The federation framed the move as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen the men’s national team program, while Pochettino emphasized the potential he sees in U.S. soccer and the motivation drawn from fan support at the World Cup.