Mauricio Pochettino is nearing agreement on a contract extension to continue as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team through the 2030 World Cup. Negotiations between the coach and U.S. Soccer are progressing positively, with broadcaster Andres Cantor reporting that an announcement could come in the near term, though The Athletic notes the deal remains unsigned. The federation aims to have Pochettino in place for international friendlies scheduled for September and October.
Pochettino initially joined the USMNT in September 2024 on a deal covering only the World Cup period. Before the tournament began, U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson presented the federation’s four-year vision to the coach during a meeting at Jean-Georges restaurant in New York on May 24. The parties agreed to defer a contract decision until after the USMNT’s World Cup performance. The team reached the round of 16, where they lost 4-1 to Belgium—their fourth consecutive World Cup exit at that stage, though the match drew more than 50 million viewers.
During his tenure with the national team, Pochettino attracted interest from other clubs, notably AC Milan in the weeks before the World Cup, though the Italian club ultimately hired Ruben Amorim instead. This represents Pochettino’s first experience coaching a national team. The upcoming four-year cycle will include World Cup qualification, participation in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and reportedly Copa America competition that same summer. U.S. Soccer has indicated the Olympics will be a priority, serving as a development opportunity for emerging players targeting the senior squad’s 2030 World Cup roster.
Batson revealed that Pochettino and his staff participated in the hiring of Steve Cherundolo, a veteran of the USMNT and former LAFC coach, to lead the Olympic team, suggesting the coach’s commitment to extending his role with the federation.
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