USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing World Cup glory on home soil in 2026.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager was recently announced as the new manager of the national team in what is being viewed as a real coup for the country.
Pochettino is regarded as one of the top tacticians in the world and will bring a fresh mind and attitude to a struggling USA team.
They have never won the World Cup, but did make the quarter-finals in 2002.
But that is something the Argentine is looking to change.
Speaking in his first press conference, he said: “We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game, but the World Cup.
“We need to believe that we can win.”
Pochettino is thinking big ahead of 2026 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/wXV4MtYdkB
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2024
“If we don’t the journey will be difficult. We have to think big.
“That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge.”
The USA women’s team have been hugely successful in the past, winning the 2015 and 2019 World Cup.
New head coach Emma Hayes also guided them to gold in the Paris Olympics this summer, just months after taking the job.
Pochettino gave the ex-Chelsea boss a huge amount of praise and admitted she inspires him to achieve with the men.
He added: “In Emma we have the best coach in the world.
“The women’s team has won everything. We need to match them.
“They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge and the culture.
“We want to create something special.”
