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

After the USMNT's disappointing World Cup exit in the Round of 16 to Belgium, questions started to swirl regarding the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino.

However, just a few weeks after that loss, US fans may be rejoicing after all.

According to a report from The Athletic, the US 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, the ex-Tottenham manager has revitalized the program, unearthing overlooked talent and putting heavy hitters like 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 Mauricio Pochettino returning to the USMNT.

Winner: Mauricio Pochettino

Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images

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

Pochettino took over a national team that needed new life and energy, particularly after a heartbreaking World Cup exit in 2022.

The US, under Gregg Berhalter, had the talent available, but due to lackadaisical coaching and a lack of real tactical identity, they fell short of lofty expectations.

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

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

Though there were some low moments during these first two years, including the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, where the US finished last out of four qualified teams, the ultimate goal is to get close to winning a World Cup.

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

Losers: The Rest of CONCACAF

Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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 US, the team went a respectable 17W-12L-2D through 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 their failure to win the 2025 Gold Cup, the US looks primed to keep its stranglehold on the region in the coming years.

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

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

Winner: US Soccer Federation (USSF)

Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

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

With the recent news that he will continue as US manager from 2026 and beyond, the USSF once 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 quieted as soon as the Italian giants hired ex-Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Forced to act quickly lest his head be further turned, the USSF wasted no time getting Pochettino back into the fold, re-signing him nearly three weeks after the USMNT's loss to Belgium.

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

Loser: Lowered Expectations 

Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via Getty Images

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

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, the US already had high expectations. A home tournament, combined with the 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 US's win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although the team fell short against Belgium in the next round, 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 US, giving them 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 US, but it's nothing some light floating won't fix.

Winner: The USMNT Players

Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Lastly, besides Pochettino himself, there's no bigger winner from his re-signing than the players themselves.

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

Some "veterans" like Antonee Robinson, Sergino Dest, the aforementioned Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie, and even newcomers like Alex Freeman 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 an article published on March 26th.

"He'll hug you. He'll have a conversation with you; he'll yell at you," he continued. "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 undoubtedly be excited.