Mauricio Pochettino is experiencing a strong start with the United States in the 2026 World Cup. According to the Argentine coach, this success was not coincidental. Following decisive victories against Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0), Pochettino identified that the primary obstacle was not tactical adjustments, but rather shifting the team’s underlying mentality.
When Pochettino assumed the role with the US in 2024, he had anticipated joining a program already oriented toward hosting the World Cup. However, the actual situation proved to be quite different. “The situation was worse than we imagined,” he stated.
“We arrived with full energy and enthusiasm, but we took a hard blow when we realized that not everyone viewed the World Cup with the same urgency as us.” He questioned the prevailing sentiment, asking, “Why not the US?”
The turning point, Pochettino noted, occurred near the end of 2025. At that time, he felt a shift was necessary within the squad to elevate their collective mindset. The coach emphasized that while technical skill is important, instilling a unified and committed mentality was crucial for achieving success on the international stage.
His focus has remained on cultivating this necessary belief within the players.
Topics: #not #pochettino #mentality
