Mauricio Pochettino to return as U.S. Soccer coach for 2030 World Cup


Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new contract to remain U.S. Soccer’s men’s national team coach through the 2030 World Cup, officials said Monday.

The deal to keep Pochettino in red, white and blue came less than a month after the 54-year-old Argentine led the U.S. to the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, played on home soil.

“Mauricio and his staff believe in the future of soccer in the United States and our new project allows us to build on progress of the USMNT and the momentum of U.S. Soccer,” U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson said in a statement.

“We know we have a lot of work to do to achieve our clear ambitions, including competing to win Men’s World Cups and having soccer become the most played sport in every community. I couldn’t be more excited that Mauricio and team are committed to partnering with all of us to do the hard work to bring those ambitions to life.”

From Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino coached several of the world’s highest-profile clubs but had never led a national team before taking over the U.S. men’s program in 2024.

His early results were mixed, with a 15-10-1 record entering the 2026 World Cup as he tested multiple lineup combinations.

His attacking style quickly earned praise once the tournament opened as the U.S. won its group and scored a team record for goals. The U.S. beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in the knockout round of 32 before exiting in the round of 16 to Belgium in a deflating 4-1 defeat.

Mauricio Pochettino speaks with the media during a press conference before an international friendly match against Germany at Endeavor Health Performance Center on June 5, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
Mauricio Pochettino speaks with the media during a press conference before an international friendly match against Germany at Endeavor Health Performance Center on June 5 in Chicago, Illinois. Omar Vega / Getty Images

After that loss, Pochettino expressed gratitude for the working relationship he had built with the leadership of U.S. Soccer, which had extended a contract extension to the coach before the tournament.

Though he declared himself an Argentine first and foremost, Pochettino didn’t shy away from ingratiating himself with U.S. fans by singing the team’s chosen song of the tournament, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” on the pitch after matches.

The new deal allows the U.S. to retain a highly regarded coach in hopes the team can continue the improvement Pochettino said he had seen take place over the previous year. Pochettino said in July the U.S. had been a “mess” after the 2025 Gold Cup.

“I am so proud because in one year … this team show that we can play football, we can play soccer, we can compete,” Pochettino said July 5. “We need to keep improving.”

Terms of Pochettino’s deal were not disclosed, but his initial deal was worth reportedly around $6 million annually in base salary, which was already to largest deal earned by any coach in U.S. soccer history.

To afford it, and lure Pochettino away from club jobs in 2024, U.S. Soccer rounded up private investors such as Ken Griffin to help pay.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.



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