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When the president of the United States asks your soccer coach whether the country can win the World Cup, you want the coach to have the right answer. Mauricio Pochettino did.
“Of course,” the Argentine-born manager told Donald Trump during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., back in December 2024.
The most expensive bet in US Soccer history
US Soccer brought Pochettino on in August 2024 to replace Gregg Berhalter. His annual salary sits at approximately $6 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the history of the federation. Pochettino’s resume includes managing Tottenham Hotspur to a Champions League final and coaching stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. His contract runs through the 2026 tournament.
The December exchange that set the tone
The interaction between Trump and Pochettino at the World Cup draw in December 2024 was brief but revealing. Trump’s question, whether the US could actually win the whole thing, was the kind of direct challenge that could rattle a coach still settling into the job. Pochettino had been in the role for roughly four months at that point.
Instead of hedging with the usual diplomatic non-answer, Pochettino went all in. His affirmative response signaled something important: he wasn’t here to manage expectations. He was here to raise them.
Why the political backdrop matters for the tournament
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The final will be played on American soil. The 1994 tournament, the last time the US hosted, drew record attendance and planted the seeds for Major League Soccer. The 2026 edition features an expanded 48-team format that guarantees more matches, more revenue, and more global eyeballs.
What to watch as the tournament approaches
The real test for Pochettino is whether his tactical philosophy translates to a squad that has never advanced past the quarterfinals of a World Cup. His $6 million salary sets a clear benchmark. US Soccer didn’t pay that kind of money for a group-stage exit.
Pochettino told Trump the US could win. Now he has to prove it wasn’t just a good line.
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