Mauricio Pochettino isn’t going anywhere. The U.S. men’s national team coach is close to signing a new long-term deal that would keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup, according to The Athletic.
Negotiations between Pochettino and U.S. Soccer picked back up after the team’s World Cup run ended in the round of 16. There was a pause during the tournament itself so the squad could focus entirely on playing. Once that was over, both sides got back to work pretty quickly.
Pochettino’s original contract was set to expire after the 2026 World Cup. But both the coach and the federation wanted to keep this thing going. They’re now hashing out final details on an extension that would run through 2030. Financial terms haven’t been made public yet, and a few specifics still need to be ironed out.
The World Cup run that changed the conversation
It’s worth remembering how Pochettino’s first big test actually went. The U.S. topped its group for the first time in program history by winning its first two matches. That had never happened before. They also picked up their first knockout-stage win since 2002 before running into a Belgium team that smoked them 4-1.
Still, that group-stage performance was enough to show real progress. The U.S. looked organized, confident, and dangerous in ways it hadn’t under previous coaches. Players bought in. Fans noticed.
After the Belgium loss, Pochettino hinted he’d sit down with U.S. Soccer once everyone had time to process the tournament. He talked openly about how much he enjoyed working with the federation and said there was a positive vibe around the whole setup.
Both sides want this
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson has been pretty direct about where things stand. He said recently the federation is in active talks with Pochettino and his staff and that everyone involved believes the program’s best days are still ahead. Batson also mentioned the coaching staff is central to U.S. Soccer’s long-term vision, not just for the men’s team but for growing the game at every level.
That kind of public support matters. It signals stability at a time when a lot of national teams are cycling through coaches after disappointing tournaments. Pochettino has been linked to plenty of club jobs in the past, but he seems genuinely invested in building something with the U.S. program.
There’s also the 2030 World Cup factor. That tournament will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Keeping Pochettino in charge through then means the U.S. would have real continuity heading into a home World Cup. That’s rare in international soccer.
The deal isn’t officially done yet. But all signs point to it getting across the line. Pochettino staying. The project continuing. And a program that’s shown real growth getting the chance to build on it.
Leave a Comment