Mauricio Pochettino knows the weight of World Cup pressure firsthand. As a player, he was part of Argentina's 2002 squad that crashed out in the group stage despite being favourites, a failure he attributes to the crushing expectations of a nation in crisis. Now, as head coach of the United States men's national team, he is tasked with preparing a squad for the 2026 tournament on home soil.
Pochettino has adopted a motivational approach to ease the burden. He wants his players to feel free and happy on the pitch, arguing that pressure can be debilitating if not managed correctly. During a press conference on Friday, he emphasised the need to send 'good energy' rather than creating a sense of tragedy around defeat.
Christian Pulisic, the team's most high-profile player, acknowledges the pressure but insists he is ready. 'There's pressure, it's a World Cup, it's not because of my position,' he said, adding that he would 'attack it head on' with the support of his teammates, staff and fans. Pulisic's face is ubiquitous in Atlanta, featuring on billboards and bus shelters.
The US squad, often described as the most talented in the programme's history, appeared relaxed during a training session at Atlanta United's ground. Players laughed and traded jokes during drills, and both Pulisic and Pochettino seemed at ease with the media. However, the underlying tension remains as the team gears up for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
Pochettino faces multi-layered pressure: not just results, but the enormous expectations of hosting a World Cup. He hopes his own painful experiences can help the USMNT avoid a similar fate, striking a balance between ambition and freedom to perform.
