US Soccer Indicates Interest in Retaining Mauricio Pochettino After World Cup Exit
US Soccer said it respects coach Mauricio Pochettino and will continue discussions about his future, while the manager indicated he will take time before deciding.
The United States Soccer Federation released a statement after the men’s national team’s loss in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, saying it remains grateful for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s work and wishes to keep dialogue open about his future. The statement noted that “positive conversations” had taken place before the tournament and that the federation will resume talks after a period of rest and reflection.
Pochettino responded that he plans to use the coming weeks to rest and consider his options, adding that he is “happy” with the relationships built and that discussions about his role can begin once the federation is ready. He did not commit to a decision at that time.
Pochettino, who took over the USMNT less than two years ago after coaching in Europe with Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, led the team to a 4-1 group-stage win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory over Australia before the knockout round. The side was eliminated after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
US Soccer officials emphasized the need for continued work at all levels of the program to achieve long-term ambitions, while acknowledging the strong talent pool now available to the national team.