Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the USA men's national team, has opened up about his 'American dream' of winning the World Cup on home soil. In an exclusive interview, the Argentine coach discussed the unique challenges of leading the host nation and why he believes the United States can surprise the world in 2026.
A Dream Born in Argentina
Pochettino's connection to the World Cup runs deep. He recalled watching the 1978 tournament as a six-year-old in Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina, clinging to his father's pocket at a local club. 'I remember the ticker-tape at River Plate, that image engraved. Passarella, Ardiles, Luque, Bertoni, Kempes, Fillol, Tarantini … my heroes,' he said. Now, as head coach of the co-hosts, he feels the weight of history. 'Well, if you think of it like that, it's very hard to sleep at night,' he admitted.
Embracing the Underdog Role
Despite the resources and population of the United States, Pochettino acknowledges that few view his team as a genuine contender. 'No one sees the US as a contender. But you analyse other World Cups and think: 'Why not?'' he said. He believes the host nation advantage can create synergy with the fans, giving players the freedom to fly. Sometimes, he joked, people don't even recognize the US tracksuit, asking: 'What sport do you guys play?'
Changing the Culture
Pochettino emphasized the need to understand American sports culture, where soccer is not the dominant sport. 'It's soccer, not football. If you don't understand that, you're going to bash your head against the wall,' he said. He praised the federation's work in unifying MLS, universities, and colleges, but noted that patience is required. 'The first gift an Argentinian gets is a football; here, it's a baseball bat, a basketball, an oval ball. Changing that's not today or tomorrow.'
Building Trust and Competing
The coach stressed the importance of building trust with his players, many of whom were initially skeptical of a foreign coach. 'We listened, trusted them and they felt that, creating the basis for professional harmony,' he said. He also highlighted the need to shift from a 'playing' mentality to a 'competing' one, particularly in MLS where there is no relegation. 'That comfort's not good in football and we've tried to change that,' he added.
Handling Pressure and Politics
Pochettino acknowledged the immense pressure of hosting a World Cup, especially amid political polarization. He prefers to stay focused on football, saying: 'I represent it through sport which is what I know how to do.' He recalled his own experience in 2002 with Argentina, where the emotional weight of being saviours of the nation had a negative impact on the group. Now, he aims to protect his players from similar burdens.
Believing in the Impossible
When asked by President Donald Trump if the US could win the World Cup, Pochettino answered yes. 'First, because I believe it. And second because when the biggest representative of a country asks … if I was the president and the coach didn't reply with the vehemence I expect, didn't say 'of course', I'd kick him out,' he said. 'In football you can't be honest: you need to create dreams, believe in the impossible. Because the impossible can be done.'
Pochettino's journey from a small town in Argentina to leading the USMNT is a testament to his belief in dreams. As he put it: 'The American dream is the idea anything is possible and we all have dreams: it doesn't just belong to America. But why not?'
