Mauricio Pochettino has committed to another World Cup cycle with the United States, signing a new contract that keeps him in charge of the men’s national team through 2030.
The agreement gives Pochettino a full 4-year cycle after he originally joined U.S. Soccer in September 2024. His expanded role will include supporting player development, youth programs, coaching education, and other technical areas across the federation.
Private financial support and continuity within Pochettino’s coaching staff will remain important parts of the project as the United States prepares for World Cup qualifying.
Pochettino signs historic 4-year extension
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to a new 4-year contract that keeps him in charge of the United States men’s national team through the 2030 World Cup, U.S. Soccer announced on August 3.
The agreement was announced less than a month after the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino guided the United States to the round of 16, where Belgium ended its campaign with a 4-1 victory.
Pochettino’s original contract ran through the 2026 tournament. The extension gives him a full World Cup cycle to develop the roster and prepare the team for competitive qualifying.
From Berhalter’s exit to a new USMNT era
Pochettino replaced Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after the United States failed to advance from the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. U.S. Soccer appointed Pochettino on September 10, 2024.
He arrived with extensive European club experience after managing Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. He led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final and won 3 domestic trophies with PSG.
Pochettino had less than 2 years to prepare the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The team won its group and defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina before Belgium eliminated it in the round of 16.
A record shaped by mixed results
Pochettino has compiled an overall record of 17 wins, 12 losses, and 2 draws across 31 matches as the United States head coach. That record includes friendlies and competitive fixtures.
The United States reached the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final and won 3 matches at the 2026 World Cup, setting a program record for victories in a single edition of the tournament.
Pochettino has also used a wide player pool while developing greater depth across the roster. Several players who earned their first senior opportunities under him later reached the 2026 World Cup squad.
Private backers support Pochettino’s new deal
U.S. Soccer said its continued investment in Pochettino and the men’s national team is supported in significant part by a philanthropic gift from Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin.
Additional financial support has come from Scott Goodwin, Adam Freede and several commercial partners. Goodwin is a co-founder and managing partner of Diameter Capital Partners.
Private donations also helped U.S. Soccer finance Pochettino’s original appointment in 2024. The arrangement allows outside supporters to contribute directly to the federation’s investment in the men’s national team program.
Highest-paid coach in USMNT history
Pochettino’s original U.S. Soccer contract reportedly paid approximately $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid head coach in USMNT history.
Private donations covered part of that compensation, with support from Kenneth C. Griffin, Scott Goodwin and commercial partners. U.S. Soccer did not disclose the financial terms of Pochettino’s new contract through 2030.
Pochettino became the first South American-born coach to lead the USMNT when he was appointed in September 2024. U.S. Soccer identified him at the time as the 40th manager in program history.
Little-known fact: Pochettino is the first USMNT manager ever born in South America, and only the 22nd of the program’s 40 head coaches to be born outside the United States.
Staff continuity powers the project
Longtime assistants Jesús Pérez, Miguel D’Agostino, and Toni Jiménez remain central members of Pochettino’s coaching staff. Sebastiano Pochettino and Sílvia Tuyà provide additional support and expertise.
Pérez, D’Agostino, and Jiménez have worked with Pochettino for more than 15 years. The group won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions with Paris Saint-Germain and reached the 2019 Champions League final with Tottenham Hotspur.
Pochettino was 13 when Jorge Griffa and Marcelo Bielsa visited his family and recruited him for Newell’s Old Boys. Bielsa later coached him at club and international levels and became an important influence on his career.
Little-known fact: Mauricio Pochettino was scouted at just 14 years old by Jorge Griffa and Marcelo Bielsa, the coach who would later manage him and remains one of his biggest influences.
Eyes on 2028 Olympics and beyond
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching, Pochettino’s staff is expected to have influence beyond the senior men’s team. Their expanded role could touch multiple parts of US Soccer nationally as well.
Olympic soccer often serves as a proving ground for future national team contributors. Having Pochettino’s group involved could help align development plans across age groups and programs nationwide.
This broader involvement suggests US Soccer now sees Pochettino as more than just a game-day coach. He and his staff are steadily becoming part of the sport’s long-term infrastructure across the entire country.
Road to World Cup 2030
Pochettino’s new assignment now shifts toward World Cup qualifying rather than tournament preparation duties. That is a different challenge he did not face during the 2026 cycle, since the team was automatically hosted as a co-host.
The United States men’s team last reached a World Cup quarterfinal in 2002, a benchmark many fans still often reference. Pochettino’s extension signals real belief that his group can finally push past it someday.
Four years is a fairly long runway in international soccer, but it gives Pochettino real time to build something lasting for the program. The next chapter begins once official qualifying matches start later this fall.
TL;DR
- Mauricio Pochettino signed a new 4-year contract that keeps him as USMNT head coach through the 2030 World Cup.
- His original agreement ran through the 2026 tournament, where the United States reached the round of 16.
- Pochettino has compiled an overall record of 17 wins, 12 losses, and 2 draws.
- Kenneth C. Griffin, Scott Goodwin, Adam Freede, and commercial partners are providing financial support for the project.
- Pochettino’s original contract reportedly paid approximately $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in USMNT history.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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