Mauricio Pochettino has set an ambitious target of winning the World Cup with USA after joining the side.
Drawing inspiration from the successful USA women’s team and their “best coach in the world,” Emma Hayes, Pochettino believes the men’s team can achieve greatness on the world stage.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager was officially named the head coach of the U.S. men’s team on Tuesday. Despite the country’s limited success in men’s World Cup history – with their best finish being a quarter-final appearance in 2002 – Pochettino is urging his players to set their sights high, especially with the USA co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
“We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game, but the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big. That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge.”
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The USA women’s team has been a source of pride, clinching World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Their success continues under the leadership of Emma Hayes, who recently took over as head coach after a decorated tenure at Chelsea, where she won the Women’s Super League seven times. In addition, Hayes led the U.S. women’s team to Olympic gold in Paris last month.
Mauricio Pochettino looking up to Emma Hayes
Pochettino, who worked alongside Hayes at Chelsea during the 2023-24 season, praised her influence and achievements.
“In Emma, we have the best coach in the world,” he stated. “The women’s team has won everything. We need to match them. They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge, and the culture.”
With Pochettino’s ambitious vision, the U.S. men’s team looks forward to building a competitive squad for the 2026 World Cup, hoping to replicate the success of their women’s counterparts and create something special on home soil.
