Mauricio Pochettino Invites Matthew McConaughey to Speak to USMNT amid World Cup Prep

The United States Men's National Team will be firmly under the spotlight as one of the host nations of the 2026 World Cup, and few are more familiar with the spotlight than actor Matthew McConaughey.

That makes him a natural, if somewhat unexpected, candidate to talk to the team about what is ahead.

He will have the chance to do just that, as Paul Tenorio of The Athletic noted USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino invited the actor to speak to the team ahead of a friendly in Austin next week.

Pochettino and McConaughey appeared on the CBS pregame show for Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final, and the actor said, "that'd be an honor." 

McConaughey is certainly familiar with soccer, as he is a co-owner of Austin FC in Major League Soccer. The team is facing Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup final, and win would mean the franchise's first trophy.

"I think this World Cup is going to do more for MLS soccer than anything has," he said.

The Americans haven't advanced past the round of 16 since 2002 but will look to do so on home soil next summer.

If they do, McConaughey may have to come speak to the team once again.