U.S. president Donald Trump has never been shy about making bold predictions, and the World Cup is apparently no exception. Ahead of the USMNT’s 4-1 win over Paraguay on Thursday night, Trump sent a direct message of support to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, telling the Argentine boss he believes the team has what it takes to win it all in 2026.
“I think you’ve got a really good chance of going all the way,” Trump said to Pochettino, according to BBC Sport. “I just want to wish you a lot of luck.”
The host nation delivered a dream start to their tournament campaign, rolling over Paraguay in front of a raucous home crowd. But Trump’s claim—that the US can “go all the way” in a World Cup that still includes powerhouses like Spain, France, England, Brazil, and Argentina—feels more like political bravado than grounded analysis.
The Optimism vs. The Odds
On paper, Pochettino is a legitimate star in the coaching world. His resume includes a Champions League final appearance with Tottenham, league titles at Paris Saint-Germain, and a respectable, if inconsistent, spell at Chelsea. He knows how to manage big egos and tactical complexity. But even he would likely admit that this USMNT squad, while talented, is still a few tiers below the tournament favorites.
Spain enters the competition as the betting favorite after their 2023 Nations League victory and a deep pool of young stars like Pedri and Gavi. France boasts Kylian Mbappé and a seemingly endless conveyor belt of elite talent. England has Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Brazil and Argentina are, well, Brazil and Argentina. The US, meanwhile, is still building its identity on the global stage under Pochettino—and while the Paraguay win was impressive, it came against a team that didn’t qualify for the last World Cup.
Trump’s comment, however, wasn’t just a throwaway line. It puts a spotlight on the massive expectations that come with being a co-host nation—and the pressure on Pochettino to deliver a deep run.
What the Win Actually Means
The USMNT’s 4-1 victory against Paraguay was more than just three points. It was a statement of intent from a team that has looked shaky in recent friendlies and qualifiers. Christian Pulisic looked sharp, the midfield pressed with purpose, and the backline—often a concern—held firm for most of the match. Still, Paraguay had chances, and a sharper opponent might have punished the US on the counter.
Co-hosts Mexico also opened their campaign with a win, beating South Africa 2-0 earlier in the week. Canada, the third co-host, could only manage a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. So the US is in good company among the hosts, but the road ahead is brutal. The group stage will test depth, and knockout rounds bring no margin for error.
As for Pochettino, he’ll likely take Trump’s words as a confidence boost—but he’s been around long enough to know that in World Cup soccer, praise from presidents doesn’t win games. Execution on the pitch does.
Whether the USMNT can actually go “all the way” remains a long shot. But after one game, at least they’ve given their fans—and their commander-in-chief—something to believe in.
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