U.S. Soccer offers Mauricio Pochettino four-year contract extension pending 2026 World Cup results

The United States Soccer Federation has submitted a four-year contract extension to Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, covering the next World Cup cycle through 2030. The offer, presented before the ongoing 2026 World Cup, will not be finalized until after the tournament, allowing both sides to assess performance and results.

Pochettino’s current deal expires after the 2026 World Cup. Sources familiar with the negotiations, who asked to remain anonymous, said discussions have been ongoing for several months and that the federation wants to signal its interest before the coach potentially becomes a free agent.

U.S. Soccer highlighted the appeal of a four-year plan that includes the 2028 Copa América, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the opening of a new $250 million national training center in Atlanta. The federation also noted that an extended contract would give Pochettino greater influence over youth development and coach education programs.

The coach has previously been linked to a possible move back to club football, including talks with AC Milan, and has acknowledged that his future remains uncertain. > "It’s difficult to describe or know your future," Pochettino said. "But when you are here, I think it’s difficult now to see yourself living in another place, because for sure, we will miss it if one day we don’t stay here in this country."

U.S. Soccer officials indicated that donor contributions, including a pledged gift from hedge-fund founder Ken Griffin and additional support from other investors, would help fund the proposed salary, projected at $4 million base with potential total compensation of $5-6 million in a non-World Cup year.

The federation said it will continue discussions with Pochettino after the World Cup, while also maintaining dialogue with other high-profile coaches as part of its broader strategy to retain top managerial talent.