Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino takes over U.S. national team ahead of 2026 World Cup
The U.S. Soccer Federation, determined to hire a high-profile successor to fired head coach Gregg Berhalter ahead of the 2026 World Cup, did so Tuesday with the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.
The 52-year-old native of Argentina was a Premier League and Champions League runner-up with Tottenham, a Ligue 1 winner with Paris Saint-Germain and most recently coached Chelsea.
Pochettino is globally respected and comes from the Santa Fe province of Argentina, nicknamed “the cradle of futbol” as it produced some of the greatest players and coaches in recent history, including Lionel Messi, Angel DiMaria, Marcelo Bielsa, Santiago Solari, Jorge Sampaoli, Lionel Scaloni and Inter Miami coach Tata Martino.
After the U.S. national team lost on home soil in the group stage of the recent Copa America, federation officials decided to make a change and aim high for its next coach.
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker, who crossed paths with Pochettino while at Southampton in England, led a global search process and made the final decision to appoint the Argentine as head coach.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Crocker. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
Team captain Christian Pulisic likes the choice.
“I think it’s good news,” Pulisic told CBS before AC Milan’s 2-1 loss at Parma on Saturday, when asked about reports Pochettino would take the job. “I think it’s time for a change. It’s time for us to take another step and really improve as a team and leading up to this World Cup, we need to find some good results and build some momentum leading up to that moment.”
Pochettino is expected to make his U.S. coaching debut Oct. 12 at a home game against Panama in Austin, Texas, and then coach the Oct. 15 game against rival Mexico in Guadalajara. He speaks Spanish, English and French, which will help him connect with the diverse American fan base.
“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here—those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
As part of the transition process, Crocker appointed assistant coach Mikey Varas to serve as interim head coach for the matches against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand Tuesday night.
“Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “His passion for the game, his innovative approach to coaching, and his ability to inspire and connect with players make him the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to have him leading our Men’s National Team.”
Pochettino began his managerial career with Espanyol in La Liga before moving to the Premier League, where he had success with Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur. At Spurs, he guided the team to its first UEFA Champions League Final in 2019 and consistently achieved top four finishes in the Premier League.
After leaving England, Pochettino took over at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions, while also leading the team to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea hired him with much fanfare in 2023, but he left the club by mutual consent in late-May 2024, less than 11 months into the job after the team finished in sixth place.
He has made his reputation motivating high-profile players while also developing young talent.
Pochettino’s appointment is supported in significant part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, Founder and CEO of Citadel and Founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support has been provided by Scott Goodwin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners.
Pochettino played as a central defender and made 20 appearances for the Argentina national team. He played for Newell’s Old Boys (Messi and Martino’s hometown club), Espanyol, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bordeaux.