Newly appointed USA men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his ambition to win the World Cup and has expressed admiration for the country’s women’s team and their manager, Emma Hayes.
Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham and Chelsea, was officially named the manager of the men’s team on Tuesday. His appointment comes as the USA, along with Canada and Mexico, prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup. The USA has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals since 2002 and has yet to secure a World Cup victory.
Looking ahead, Pochettino is optimistic about the team’s prospects for the 2026 tournament. “We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game, but the World Cup,” he 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.”
Pochettino also highlighted the success of the USA women’s team as a source of inspiration. The women’s team won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and recently appointed Hayes as their manager. Hayes, who took on the role after a highly successful tenure at Chelsea, where she won the Women’s Super League seven times since 2015, led the women’s team to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics last month.
Pochettino, who was at Chelsea during the same period as Hayes in the 2023-24 season, commended her coaching skills. “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. We want to create something special.”
