U.S. Soccer says it will restart discussions with Mauricio Pochettino about his next step after a spell of “rest and reflection” following his management of a U.S. team that crashed out of the World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
The 54-year-old coach’s agreement runs to the end of the tournament, leaving his future as the biggest storyline after a campaign that ended in disappointment for a squad that had been aiming for a deep run on home soil.
In a statement, the federation said it had held “positive conversations” with Pochettino prior to the competition regarding what comes next, and that both parties have agreed to continue those talks after a pause.
Quick facts
- U.S. Soccer will resume talks with Mauricio Pochettino after a “rest and reflection” period.
- Pochettino’s contract is set to expire after the World Cup.
- The U.S. team were eliminated following a 4-1 defeat by Belgium.
- U.S. Soccer says it had “positive conversations” with Pochettino before the tournament and both sides will continue discussions after a break.
U.S. Soccer also expressed appreciation for the work done by Pochettino and his staff, stressing the respect the federation has for “Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program.”
The Belgian defeat shattered the momentum that had built around the U.S. project and is expected to raise the volume of debate about the direction of the program as the federation evaluates whether Pochettino is still the right fit for the next cycle.
Pochettino has not made a public comment on what he plans to do after the tournament. He was spotted showing visible frustration during the round-of-16 tie in Seattle, including kicking water bottles on the sideline.
Speaking after that match, he said there were “good things and not so good things” during his nearly two years in charge, while also describing the overall experience as “amazing.”
U.S. Soccer, meanwhile, underlined that more progress is needed across the system. The federation said it shares excitement about the team’s potential, but also shared “clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition.”
Pochettino was appointed in September 2024, tasked with reshaping the United States into genuine contenders. Still, the way the World Cup ended—after expectations were high—means the federation will face hard questions in the coming weeks.
As the campaign drew to a close, attention will now turn to what happens next, with the coach’s contract timeline and the manner of the exit likely to weigh heavily in the decision-making process.
