Mauricio Pochettino has extended his contract with the United States Men’s Team, with US Soccer expanding his responsibilities following the team’s encouraging performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager, who was appointed US head coach in September 2024, guided the co-host nation to the Round of 16 at the World Cup before their campaign ended with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
Although the United States fell short of reaching the quarterfinals, the federation expressed satisfaction with the progress made under Pochettino, citing improvements in team identity, player development and overall competitiveness against top international opposition.
As part of the new agreement, Pochettino and his coaching staff will take on expanded technical responsibilities beyond the senior men’s national team. According to US Soccer, they will help shape the country’s football development by advising on youth programmes, coaching education, professional league collaboration and the overall national team pathway.
Speaking after signing the extension, Pochettino said the project offered an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for football in the United States.
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“Working together with US Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the men’s national team programme even stronger,” he said.
“We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of US Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the federation.”
The Argentine added that his ambition extends beyond winning matches, saying he hopes to contribute to the long-term growth of football across the country.
Under Pochettino, the United States topped their World Cup group after victories over Paraguay and Australia before defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the knockout stage. Their impressive run eventually came to an end against Belgium, one of the tournament’s strongest sides.
US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone praised Pochettino for fostering a strong team culture and earning the trust of the players. “Mauricio has built a culture where players trust the group, trust the process and trust each other,” she said.
“We saw the impact of that belief in the way the team grew, competed and performed on the world’s biggest stage. That culture, and the staff who helped build it, are exactly what we want to continue investing in.”
Pochettino’s contract extension reflects US Soccer’s confidence in his long-term vision as the federation begins preparations for future international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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