The U.S. men’s national soccer team has appointed Mauricio Pochettino as its new head coach, representing a significant change for the program.

Pochettino, 52, brings a fresh perspective and a distinct style of play compared to his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter. The Argentine coach has a solid background, having led several clubs in the Premier League and achieved success in the Champions League—a level of experience that has been unprecedented for U.S. Soccer with the USMNT.

After Berhalter’s departure following a disappointing showing at the 2024 Copa América, few anticipated the federation would land one of the world’s most sought-after coaches. The decision to hire Pochettino underscores how seriously U.S. Soccer is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which is seen as a pivotal moment for the growth of the sport in the country.

Pochettino expressed his enthusiasm for the role in a federation press release, stating, “The decision to join U.S. Soccer went beyond just football; it’s about the journey this team and country are on. The energy, the passion, and the ambition to achieve something historic here really inspired me.”

“Leading the U.S. men’s national team, in front of fans who are as passionate as the players, is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I see a talented group of players, and together, we will create something special that the entire nation can take pride in.”

Here’s everything you should know about the new head coach of the USMNT.

Who is Mauricio Pochettino, the new USMNT head coach?

Before agreeing to lead the USMNT, Pochettino was among the most coveted figures in global soccer.

Pochettino, born in 1972 in the small Argentine town of Murphy, began his playing career at Newell’s Old Boys, the same club where Lionel Messi started. He excelled as a center back, eventually playing nearly ten seasons (during two separate periods) with Espanyol in La Liga and also spending three years at Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux. He represented Argentina 20 times, including at the 2002 World Cup.

Just two months after obtaining his UEFA Pro License, Espanyol, who were struggling in La Liga’s relegation zone, appointed him to keep the team afloat during the difficult 2008-09 season. He skillfully led them to a respectable 10th-place finish, introducing his vision of high-pressing football early on.

After achieving similar results at Southampton, where he secured their Premier League status and led them to an impressive eighth-place finish, Pochettino was hired by Tottenham Hotspur for the 2014-15 season. There, he gained recognition by guiding the club to its first top-three finish in 26 years during the 2015-16 season, and they reached their first-ever Champions League final during his five-year tenure.

Pochettino then moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he clinched the Ligue 1 title in 2021-22, and most recently managed a struggling Chelsea team to a sixth-place finish. Despite ending the season on a five-game winning streak, he and Chelsea parted ways in June amid some tension.

Why did U.S. Soccer select Pochettino for the USMNT?

U.S. Soccer aimed to find the best possible coach for the USMNT and was ready to invest in a prominent name. The urgency surrounding the 2026 World Cup represents a significant chance to elevate the sport’s profile in the United States. The USMNT has not advanced past the Round of 16 in a World Cup since 2002, and under Pochettino, the goal is to change that.

Additionally, there’s a larger ambition at play. U.S. Soccer strives to reshape how the program is viewed. Hiring a coach of Pochettino’s stature was considered unlikely after Berhalter’s exit due to financial constraints and the reputation of the USMNT job. While Berhalter had experience coaching in Europe and MLS, he never held a role at the level Pochettino has. Previous coaches typically came from a similar or less illustrious background prior to taking on the role.

This indicates a bold move by a federation under growing pressure to improve its performance.

What can we expect from the USMNT under Pochettino?

Pochettino is known for his high-pressing, attack-oriented style, which aligns with U.S. Soccer’s ambitions for the USMNT. The federation aims for the team to play in an entertaining manner, and Pochettino’s teams—regardless of limited resources at clubs like Espanyol and Southampton—have consistently delivered engaging performances.

It’s reasonable to anticipate that Pochettino’s USMNT will focus on building play from the back and will adjust formations depending on their strategy in attack or defense. Specific formation details remain unclear, as Pochettino has historically been flexible depending on the players available.

Most likely, this will revolve around key player Christian Pulisic, who has taken on a variety of roles with the USMNT. Looking at Pochettino’s track record with Tottenham, fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest (once he recovers from an ACL injury) will also be crucial for the team’s ability to break down sturdy defenses.

Pochettino faces two major hurdles: making the most of talented forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, who have not yet reached their full potential with the USMNT, and addressing the ongoing inconsistency in the team’s goalkeepers and center backs over the last year and a half.

How to follow USMNT under Pochettino

The USMNT has arranged four friendly matches in the upcoming months, although the specific opponents for FIFA’s November international window will be announced later.

You can watch all the matches live on Max, Peacock, and fuboTV. Check local listings for more details.

All times are in Eastern Time. The home team’s name is listed first.

• September 10: USMNT vs. New Zealand | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Universo
• October 12: USMNT vs. Panama | 9 p.m. | TBS, Telemundo, Universo
• October 15: Mexico vs. USMNT | 10:30 p.m. | TNT
• November 11-19: Opponents and locations TBA

Mauricio Pochettino career statistics and history

• Espanyol (La Liga, Jan. 2009-Nov. 2012): 53 wins, 70 losses, 38 draws
• Southampton (Premier League, Jan. 2013-June 2014): 23 wins, 19 losses, 18 draws
• Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League, July 2014-Nov. 2019): 160 wins, 73 losses, 60 draws
• Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, Jan. 2021-July 2022): 56 wins, 15 losses, 13 draws
• Chelsea (Premier League, July 2023-June 2024): 27 wins, 14 losses, 10 draws