Pochettino preaches relaxation as USMNT’s 2026 World Cup debut looms

Mauricio Pochettino declared on Thursday that, after months of assessing his player pool and testing different formations and approaches, it’s time to trust that his staff have set up the team for the best tournament possible. “I was talking with a good friend that won the World Cup in 1986 with Argentina,” said Pochettino, who confirmed that all 26 US players are available for selection. There have been tough lessons along the way, from the shock fourth-place finish at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League to March’s friendly defeats to Belgium and Portugal by a 7-2 aggregate.

By Jason Griffith for PeeDeeWire

Yahoo Sports reports: Mauricio Pochettino declared on Thursday that, after months of assessing his player pool and testing different formations and approaches, it’s time to trust that his staff have set up the team for the best tournament possible. “I was talking with a good friend that won the World Cup in 1986 with Argentina,” said Pochettino, who confirmed that all 26 US players are available for selection. There have been tough lessons along the way, from the shock fourth-place finish at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League to March’s friendly defeats to Belgium and Portugal by a 7-2 aggregate.