Mauricio Pochettino Aims for World Cup Glory

Mauricio Pochettino, the newly appointed USA men’s national team coach, has set an ambitious goal of winning the World Cup. He draws inspiration from the country’s successful women’s team and their coach, Emma Hayes. Pochettino the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager took over the U.S. men’s team on Tuesday and emphasized the need for belief in achieving big things, particularly with the USA co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

The United States men’s team last reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 but has never won the tournament. Pochettino sees the upcoming 2026 edition as an opportunity for his squad to aim high and dream of winning the prestigious trophy. “We need to believe we can win, not just a game, but the World Cup,” he said. “If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big and put our talent in service of the team.”

Pochettino praised the U.S. women’s national team which won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and has continued to excel under Hayes, who took over as their coach after a successful spell at Chelsea where she won seven Women’s Super League titles. Last month, Hayes led the women’s team to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, further cementing her status as a top coach.

“In Emma, we have the best coach in the world,” Pochettino said. “The women’s team has won everything. They should be our inspiration, not only through their results but the way they defend the badge, the country and the culture. We want to create something special.”

Mauricio Pochettino is determined to replicate that success and create a winning philosophy for the men’s team.