Team USA Makes Decision On Head Coach After World Cup Run

The United States Soccer Federation and head coach Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new contract to keep him at the helm of the U.S. Men’s National Team, the organization announced on Monday.

Both sides agreed on a four-year extension lasting through 2030. Pochettino, who coached Team USA to its first win in the knockout stage in over two decades this summer, is set to be the manager for the 2030 FIFA World Cup taking place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The head coach will now be tasked with advising U.S. Soccer on the broader development of the full national team pathway, youth soccer, coaching education, and professional league collaboration.

“Mauricio and his staff believe in the future of soccer in the United States and our new project allows us to build on progress of the USMNT and the momentum of U.S. Soccer,” U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson said in the statement. “We know we have a lot of work to do to achieve our clear ambitions, including competing to win Men’s World Cups.”

“Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. “The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here. We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of U.S. Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the Federation.”

Pochettino signed a two-year deal with Team USA in September 2024. The 54-year-old Argentine manager coached the team through the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League, the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the recent World Cup.

While the financials of the contract are not yet public, the contract is being supported by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Contributions from Scott Goodwin, Adam Freede, and other donors were also crucial in the extension.

According to Sportico, Griffin and Goodwin played a major role in bringing Pochettino to the U.S. Soccer Federation in his initial deal, which was reportedly around $6 million per year.

After the Round of 16 exit to Belgium last month, Pochettino and Team USA will shift their focus to the qualifying matches for the next World Cup, the 2027 CONCACAF Nations League, the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 2029 CONCACAF Nations League, and the 2029 CONCACAF Gold Cup.