Mauricio Pochettino will make his World Cup debut as a coach on Friday when the United States men's national team faces Paraguay in their opening match of the 2026 tournament. The Argentine manager declared on Thursday that, after months of assessing his player pool and testing different formations and approaches, it is time to trust that his staff have set up the team for the best possible performance.
Pochettino Emphasizes Relaxation and Focus
“I was talking with a good friend that won the World Cup in 1986 with Argentina,” said Pochettino, who confirmed that all 26 US players are available for selection. “He said to me, ‘in relaxation, you become concentrated and focused.’ I think we try to be very professional in every single aspect of our preparation by creating a very good atmosphere where the player can feel comfortable and to embrace, and not to learn, but to understand what we expect.”
Lessons Learned from Tough Defeats
There have been difficult lessons along the way, from the shock fourth-place finish at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League to March’s friendly defeats to Belgium and Portugal by a 7-2 aggregate. Even after the Belgian goal glut, Pochettino stressed the importance of presenting a confident demeanor so that his players would use it to guide their own thinking. That mentality appears to have stuck. Throughout the past two weeks, the team has spoken with quiet confidence that they are ready to represent their nation in front of the home fans.
Players Reflect on Growth Since Qatar
“It’s special,” Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams said on Thursday, “and I think these are kind of the moments [where] you really need to stay present within it all, because no matter the circumstances, and no matter what happens, you’re going through it with your best friends. I think that connection, and that chemistry, and that bond is what has allowed us to grow over the past four years, especially since Qatar.”
As the 2022 World Cup played out, Alex Freeman was a 17-year-old who had not yet debuted for Orlando City. Matt Freese was ready to change clubs after years backing up Jamaica’s Andre Blake for the Philadelphia Union. Sebastian Berhalter had only just finished his first season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, where he had yet to secure a starting spot. They, along with ten others, are now poised to make their World Cup debuts close to home.
“Since Qatar, obviously the roster has changed,” Adams said. “You get more fresh faces in, [and it] adds a little bit of a different energy and vibe. But the connection hasn’t wavered, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Team Bonding and Lighthearted Moments
That cohesion had a viral moment on Wednesday night, as US Soccer posted video of the players reacting to the New York Knicks’ record comeback over the San Antonio Spurs. Adams is one of a few lifelong Knicks fans among the bunch, while others like Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi hail from Texas. Some are anti-Knicks; Adams named Haji Wright, a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan, and Brenden Aaronson among this group. “He’s a Sixers fan, he can’t say anything,” Adams quipped.
No Rousing Speech Needed
Just as Philadelphia tried to “trust the process” all the way to a title, the US are making similar bets on the steps they have taken to earn a place on this squad. As a result, and perhaps supported by the wisdom of his World Cup champion friend, Pochettino does not feel the need for a Hollywood-caliber pep talk to send his group out in Los Angeles.
“I think now they don’t need an external motivation or inspirational speech,” Pochettino said. “If you know the mindset of the player, they need before [the game is close] to get [to] their best. They need motivation and speech and inspiration when they go to train and improve in every single area. Tomorrow is late.”
Looking Ahead to Paraguay Clash
Following Mexico’s 2-0 win in Group A, the US will want to play with similar quality and confidence from the opening whistle. On Wednesday, Chris Richards set aims to be “the top dog” in Group D. On Thursday, Adams cracked a wry smile as he said he was “definitely not thinking about third place, that’s for sure.”
Pochettino said he has already determined his starters for the Paraguay clash, though he is keeping it to himself to prevent outsiders from finding out. “If I tell you they know, you are going to start to call them,” he said with a laugh. All that is left now is to play the games.
“The most important [thing] is not to be disconnected with your emotional relationship with the game,” Pochettino said. “We were talking about that. They need to think tomorrow and play like they are a child – with no pressure, with no responsibility. It’s to play, doing what they need to do and what they know to do.”
