U.S. Soccer and Mauricio Pochettino are extending their partnership.
After losing in the Round of 16 at the World Cup last month, Pochettino will remain in his role as USMNT head coach through the 2030 World Cup. The U.S. Soccer federation confirmed the news on Monday.
His initial contract ran through the 2026 World Cup, and there was speculation that Pochettino might have left for a different opportunity. U.S. Soccer reportedly offered him a contract extension before the tournament, but Pochettino waited until afterward to sign on the dotted line.
“Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. “The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here. We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of U.S. Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the Federation. We want to try to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed us so warmly and for that impact to extend beyond results on the field.”
The USMNT had a strong showing in the group stage of the World Cup before its disappointing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. Pochettino also delivered the U.S. its first knockout win since 2002, although it was in the Round of 32 (which didn’t exist before the 2026 tournament expansion).
Pochettino was named USMNT head coach in September of 2024. His 31 games at the helm since then include 17 wins, 12 losses and two draws. Before coaching the U.S., the 54-year-old Argentine led Espanyol (2009-12), Southampton (2013-14), Tottenham Hotspur (2014-19), Paris Saint-Germain (2021-22) and Chelsea (2023-24).
If Pochettino makes it to the 2030 World Cup with the U.S., he would join Bruce Arena as the only other coach to ever lead the program in two different World Cups.
Despite the contract extension, Pochettino will not coach the USMNT at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Former LAFC manager and U.S. men’s national team veteran Steve Cherundolo was hired for that role earlier in July, as he’ll helm the age-restricted under-23 team for the next two years.
Pochettino and the USMNT will next play in a major tournament at the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in November. The squad is expected to play in international friendlies during the FIFA window from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6, with opponents and locations to be determined.
