The hosts return to the world stage under Pochettino with a golden generation of European-based talent and a nation behind them.
The United States host their second men's World Cup, 32 years after the 1994 tournament that brought Major League Soccer into existence. Mauricio Pochettino's appointment in September 2024 signaled ambition beyond merely advancing from the group the Argentine has won a Ligue 1 with PSG and reached a Champions League final with Tottenham. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna, Folarin Balogun, and Ricardo Pepi form the most talented US men's squad ever assembled.
With the weight of a host nation behind them, United States showed enough quality to navigate a challenging group stage, though not without the occasional stumble. They overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, and were overpowered by Belgium in the Round of 16. Belgium proved to be a step too far, and United States's campaign came to a decisive end in the the last 16.
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Scored in every match on home soil.
Christian Pulisic, 27, is the most decorated American men's footballer: a Champions League winner with Chelsea, a Serie A starter with AC Milan, and his country's captain. A second World Cup at home is the Pennsylvania-born attacker's pre-tournament moment.
Conceded in only 3 of 5 matches
Folarin Balogun led United States's attack with 3 goals 2 in the group stage and 1 in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino, 53, signed a long-term deal with US Soccer in September 2024. He is the first non-American to lead the men's national team in the modern era. His tenure at Tottenham (2014-2019) culminated in the 2019 Champions League final; at Chelsea he delivered a fourth-place finish in a transitional season. Leading United States at his first World Cup 3 wins, 2 losses under Pochettino.
Pochettino's United States pressed high and scored freely at home four against Paraguay, two against Australia but the same aggression left them open against better opposition. Turkey exposed it in the group; Belgium punished it in the round of 16.
