Winners and Losers of Mauricio Pochettino Reportedly Returning as USMNT Head Coach

After the USMNT's disappointing FIFA World Cup exit, questions started to swirl regarding the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino.

However, just a few weeks after the round-of-16 loss to Belgium, United States fans may be rejoicing after all.

According to a report from The Athletic, the U.S. is close to keeping Pochettino on as head coach through the 2030 World Cup cycle.

The Argentine initially signed with the United States Soccer Federation in 2024. Since then, he has revitalized the program, unearthing overlooked talent and putting heavy hitters such as Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie in positions to succeed.

With another four-year World Cup cycle ahead for the Stars and Stripes under Pochettino, the sky is truly the limit for what lies ahead.

Here are the winners and losers of Pochettino returning to the USMNT.

Winner: Mauricio Pochettino

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The most obvious winner for this extension is, of course, Mauricio Pochettino.

The former Argentina international took over a team that needed new life and energy, particularly after a heartbreaking World Cup exit in 2022.

Under Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. had the talent, but due to lackadaisical coaching and a lack of a real tactical identity, they fell short of lofty expectations.

Under Pochettino? At the World Cup, the United States looked cohesive and sharp, with tactical fluidity that let them attack from the flanks while maintaining a perfect midfield balance of technicality and physicality.

Not to mention the offensive performances were seamless in transition and displayed ruthless efficiency needed in international football.

Though there were some low moments during his first two years, including the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, in which the U.S. finished last among the four qualified teams, the ultimate goal is to get close to winning a World Cup.

With another four years to look forward to, Pochettino can now further unlock his final team vision with more time and backing from the United States Soccer Federation.

Losers: The Rest of CONCACAF

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One section of fans who won't be too thrilled about this continuation is other CONCACAF nations.

During Pochettino's first two years with the U.S., the team went 17-12-2 in 31 games.

While there haven't been any trophies won during this time, other CONCACAF sides should be worried about this new-look USMNT.

Besides the poor showing at the 2025 Nations League Finals and its failure to win the 2025 Gold Cup, the U.S. looks primed to keep its stranglehold on the region in the coming years.

Between Canada having its own golden generation and Mexico looking tactically competent during the World Cup, the U.S. will have plenty of other nations jockeying for that top spot.

Under Pochettino, though, consistency and system superiority will be crucial to what the Stars and Stripes want to accomplish.

Winner: US Soccer Federation (USSF)

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After bungling the reappointment of Gregg Berhalter in 2023 and subsequently firing him just a year later, the United States Soccer Federation remedied its mistakes by hiring Pochettino on September 10, 2024.

With the recent news that Pochettino will continue as U.S. manager from 2026 and beyond, the USSF again did the right thing by keeping the 54-year-old at the helm.

There were reports that the Argentine could move on, specifically to AC Milan, but those rumors were quickly quieted when the Italian giants hired former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim.

The USSF wasted no time getting Pochettino back into the fold, re-signing him nearly three weeks after the loss to Belgium.

While the federation doesn't always get it right, this time, it did the right thing.

Loser: Lowered Expectations 

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Unfortunately, the downside of having such high expectations is that anything substandard will be criticized.

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. already had high expectations. A home tournament, combined with a home crowd and favorable seeding, made it the perfect combination to dream the impossible.

"I think football is possible if you believe," Pochettino told the media after the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although the team fell short against Belgium in the last 16, that belief will go a long way in the next four years, maybe even sooner than that.

The 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be the next major tournament for the U.S., giving the team another opportunity to impress fans and live up to expectations. Winning that should be the number one goal.

With Americans firmly invested in the success of the national team, the stakes to perform will be higher than ever before. It's uncharted waters for the U.S., but it's nothing some light floating won't fix.

Winner: The USMNT Players

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Besides Pochettino himself, there's no bigger winner from his re-signing than the USMNT players.

At the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. team looked scary through its first two games and during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team played a brand of football that most fans should look forward to seeing in the future, especially with its young core of players.

Veterans such as Antonee Robinson, Sergino Dest, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie will all benefit, learn and grow from Pochettino staying on for another full World Cup cycle.

"Above all, he just expects intensity, and he expects mentality, he expects energy," Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan told ESPN about Pochettino in March.

"He'll hug you. He'll have a conversation with you; he'll yell at you. But in the end, it comes from a good place. And as long as you bring what he wants, you're going to be in a good spot."

With that energy set to continue for another four years, the players should be excited.