Poch: US Must Deliver in 2026 World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham and PSG manager, has thrown down the gauntlet for the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He believes that the US must deliver on the global stage, especially with the tournament being played on home soil.
Pochettino, who has been linked with several top jobs in the US, including the national team, knows a thing or two about pressure. He guided Tottenham to the Champions League final and PSG to the Ligue 1 title. He sees the 2026 World Cup as a huge opportunity for the US.
"It's a huge opportunity for American football," Poch said, "To be the host nation, to have the fans behind you, to have the whole country united... it's a chance for the USA to show the world what they're capable of." He's not underestimating the challenge, though. "It's not going to be easy," he cautioned. "There's a lot of competition in international football these days. But the US has the potential to be a force."
So what does Poch think the US needs to do to succeed? He believes the US needs to focus on developing young talent, building a strong team culture, and finding a coach who can get the best out of their players.
"The US has a lot of young, talented players coming through," he noted. "They need to give them the platform to develop and make sure they have the right environment to succeed. They need a coach who can bring all the pieces together, a leader who can inspire the team and get them playing with confidence."
The 2026 World Cup is going to be a massive event. With the US, Canada, and Mexico hosting, it's set to be a truly special tournament. And Poch believes the US can be a major player on the world stage if they get things right. The pressure is on, but the opportunity is huge.
It's time for the US to deliver.
Keywords: Poch, Mauricio Pochettino, US, United States, World Cup, 2026, football, soccer, coach, talent, development, team, culture, opportunity, pressure, potential, competition, inspire, confidence
