Pochettino receives USMNT contract extension: all the details
U.S. Soccer is betting on continuity for Mauricio Pochettino’s project and seeks for the Argentine to lead a second World Cup cycle through 2030.
The U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) has accomplished its first major objective at the 2026 World Cup: reaching the knockout stage as group winners. Beyond that, everything else for Mauricio Pochettino is secondary, including finishing the group stage with a perfect record.
After the impressive start the USMNT has made with victories over Paraguay and Australia in its opening two World Cup matches, U.S. Soccer has decided to commit to the Argentine as part of a long-term project.
According to The Athletic, U.S. Soccer has offered Pochettino a contract extension through 2030, with the aim of keeping him in charge for the next World Cup cycle. The decision now rests entirely with Pochettino, who will determine whether he wants to remain as head coach after the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
U.S. Soccer’s goal is to retain Pochettino for the next four years. According to sources cited by The Athletic, negotiations have been ongoing for months as both sides work toward an agreement on a new deal.
The proposed cycle extends well beyond preparations for the 2030 World Cup, when the USMNT will once again have to navigate a CONCACAF qualifying campaign. The federation also views Pochettino as the ideal coach to lead the team through several key tournaments during the next four years.
One of those competitions is the 2028 Summer Olympics, where Pochettino could oversee the entire youth national team programme and play a leading role in player development.
Also on the horizon is the 2028 Copa América, which is expected to be hosted by the United States. The tournament represents an opportunity for the USMNT to make amends after its group-stage elimination in the 2024 edition. The schedule would also include the 2029 CONCACAF Gold Cup, another competition in which Pochettino has unfinished business after losing to Mexico in the 2025 final.
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