United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has expressed confidence that Christian Pulisic will score at the 2026 World Cup, despite the forward's recent struggles in front of goal. The 27-year-old has not scored for his country since November 2024 and has failed to find the net for any club since 28 December.
Speaking on Thursday, Pochettino acknowledged the importance of restoring Pulisic's confidence before the tournament, but insisted the Milan star will deliver when it matters. 'He is going to score in the World Cup,' Pochettino said. 'I really have trust in that. I have confidence in him, he has very good attitude and commitment.'
The comments come after a public disagreement between the pair last summer, when Pulisic opted out of the Concacaf Gold Cup to prioritise rest ahead of the World Cup. Pochettino admitted he was 'disappointed' with the decision, but said the issue has now been resolved.
Pochettino also addressed his squad selection, which raised eyebrows by including only four central midfielders. He suggested that players like Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest could fill in, and hinted that the team may sometimes play without a dedicated holding midfielder. 'We need to have possession, more possession than the opponent, that is the idea,' he said.
The USMNT open their World Cup campaign against Paraguay in the group stage. Pochettino, who played for Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, is preparing for his first tournament as an international manager.
