Mauricio Pochettino says he’ll make decision on his USMNT future ‘next week’

Posted July 17, 2026 3:10 pm

By Paul Tenorio

Mauricio Pochettino said he will make a decision next week about whether he remains on as U.S. men’s national team coach. His most recent contract was due to run through the 2026 World Cup, and he has been engaged in talks with U.S. Soccer about the future.

“Look, we’re looking into it; we’re analyzing it,” Pochettino told Spanish outlet Cadena Cope. “I received an offer to stay on, so we’ll see. We’ll make a decision next week.”

The Athletic previously reported that U.S. Soccer offered Pochettino an extension prior to the start of the World Cup. On Thursday, U.S. Soccer CEO & Secretary General JT Batson said he was optimistic about the possibility of the Argentine manager continuing with the team for the near future.

Pochettino and the U.S. captured the country’s attention during the World Cup with group-stage wins over Paraguay and Australia and a round-of-32 knockout win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but were eliminated in the round of 16 after a lopsided 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle.

“From a men’s national team coaching standpoint, we’re in active discussions with Mauricio and staff about the future,” Batson said. “We all share a belief that the best days of U.S. Soccer are ahead of us, and they’re excited about the opportunity to impact soccer at all levels in every community.”

Batson said Pochettino and his staff have been involved in the federation’s “long-term planning,” including in the recent hire of former LAFC manager and U.S. men’s national team veteran Steve Cherundolo as coach of the men’s Olympic team.

Pochettino joined U.S. Soccer in September 2024 and was tasked with shepherding the men’s national team through a home World Cup. Pochettino took the U.S. to a Gold Cup final in 2025, where it lost to Mexico in the final, and then topped the World Cup group with back-to-back wins, the first time the U.S. won two group-stage games at a World Cup since 1930.

The loss to Belgium was a massive disappointment, however, not just because of the result but because the U.S. was outclassed in a game watched by more than 50 million people across the U.S.

“We were not good enough today,” Pochettino said after the loss. “We don’t need to find another excuse. Belgium were better than us. That’s it. It’s very clear. It was really tough from the beginning. We didn’t show what normally the team will show — and that is the reality.”

It’s unclear what financial arrangement would be on the table for Pochettino if he were to renew. In order to sign him in September 2024, U.S. Soccer received the backing of billionaire benefactors to subsidize his contract.