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Pochettino names USMNT 26-man World Cup squad and announces captain ahead of historic home tournament
US men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first to be held on home soil in over three decades. The Argentine coach named his captain during an emotional press conference, describing the staff as key to the team's success and reflecting on his countryside upbringing in Argentina as the foundation of his values.
United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held on American soil for the first time in over three decades. The Argentine coach also named his captain during an emotional press conference that highlighted both the excitement and the gravity of the moment.
Pochettino described the relief and joy visible among the players now that the squad has been officially confirmed. He noted that the players are now more open, more relaxed and happy, showing a big difference compared to the tension of the selection period. They love to train and are focused in all the areas needed to compete at the highest level.
The coach was particularly effusive in praising the support staff working behind the scenes, calling them a key part of the team's potential success. He said that the people working behind the scenes suffer more than him sometimes, and that their effort cannot be rewarded with words or money. To have people who truly believe in everything the team is doing and feel happy is, in his words, the same as winning the World Cup.
When asked about how his childhood in rural Argentina shaped his coaching philosophy, Pochettino reflected on growing up in Murphy, a small town in the countryside. He said his upbringing among animals, nature and without television or newspapers taught him the important values in life, including discipline and care for others. He described these as the foundation of the man he has become.
Meanwhile, preparations for the tournament are ramping up across the country. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the city will host watch parties and festivals throughout June when the world arrives for the World Cup. The event is expected to be one of the largest sporting gatherings ever held in the United States, with cities nationwide preparing to welcome international visitors and showcase American hospitality.