How Pochettino has US believing they can be World Cup winners
When Mauricio Pochettino took over the U.S. men's national team in late 2024, few outside the locker room expected much. The squad had talent—Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna—but a history of flops on the biggest stages. Fast forward to today, and something has shifted. Players talk differently. They walk differently. For the first time in decades, the USMNT actually looks like a team that could lift the World Cup trophy on home soil in 2026.
The change isn't magic. It's Pochettino's relentless focus on mentality. At Tottenham, he turned a team of nearly-men into Champions League finalists. At PSG, he managed egos the size of planets. Now, he's applying those same principles to a group of young Americans who needed a kick in the confidence. "He doesn't let us settle," midfielder Yunus Musah told reporters last month. "Every training session, he's pushing us to believe we belong with the best." That belief, once absent, now fuels everything.
The tactical shift that unlocked potential
Pochettino's system is deceptively simple: high press, quick transitions, and a backline that steps up as one. But the execution requires trust. Under previous coaches, the US often dropped deep, absorbing pressure and hoping for counterattacks. Pochettino flipped that script. Now, they suffocate opponents in their own half. In a recent friendly against England, the US completed 92% of passes in the final third—a stat that would have been unthinkable two years ago. The players credit Pochettino's drills, which simulate game scenarios at breakneck speed. "He makes you think two steps ahead," says defender Antonee Robinson. "If you hesitate, you get punished in training. That carries over."
The numbers back it up. Since Pochettino took charge, the US has won 14 of 18 matches, including victories over Brazil, Germany, and Uruguay. More telling: they've conceded just eight goals in those games. The defense, once a liability, now looks organized and aggressive. Center-back pairing Chris Richards and Miles Robinson have developed a telepathic understanding, cutting out through-balls that used to slice them open. And in goal, Matt Turner has thrived under the increased pressure, making crucial saves in tight moments.
Why 2026 feels different
Every World Cup cycle, Americans get hyped. This time, the hype has substance. Pochettino has instilled a mentality where losing is unacceptable, not just disappointing. Players openly talk about winning the tournament—something previous generations avoided. "Why not us?" captain Pulisic said in a recent interview. "We have the talent, the coach, and the home crowd. If we don't believe now, when will we?" That swagger, combined with Pochettino's tactical discipline, has turned the USMNT into a legitimate contender. They're no longer just hoping for a deep run. They're planning for it.
