USSF teases imminent decision on Poch's future
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Cindy Parlow Cone said on Apple TV that USSF's contract talks with Pochettino are "going very well," teasing an announcement "in the coming days."
- Mauricio Pochettino led the USMNT through the 2026 World Cup — topping Group D with wins over Australia and Paraguay, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, then falling 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16.
- USSF wants to keep Pochettino through the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco on a four-year extension, per sources who previously told ESPN, after his original two-year deal expired post-2026 tournament.
- JT Batson first approached Pochettino in May about the four-year project, prompting Pochettino's July 16 Cadena Cope remarks that he and his staff were evaluating the offer.
- The USMNT is scheduled to return to action for friendlies during the September FIFA international window.
Why it matters: Securing Pochettino through the 2030 cycle (Spain, Portugal, Morocco) lets USSF lock in continuity ahead of September friendlies rather than absorb another coaching turnover, while extending a manager whose 2026 run ended in a 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium — a tradeoff the federation has clearly decided to make.
