In an interview conducted on the ESPN channel, the USSF CEO shed some light on one of the newest managers in US soccer history, Mauricio Pochettino. Many thought he would be here for a long time, but according to the CEO, that is not the case either. All this is based on the 2026 World Cup only, and whether this head coach and what happens after the tournament between that head coach and USMNT are uncertain.

So why aren’t they focusing on a long-term plan?  The CEO said that, to this point, the 2026 World Cup is their main priority. He also went on to explain how the stakes are pretty high because hosting a World Cup on your home soil is one of those once-in-a-generation things, and US soccer plans on taking full advantage of that.

Pochettino’s job is simple but complicated. He is responsible for bringing glory to US soccer in that tournament. As the CEO mentioned, “But we can do all the long-term stuff we want, and if we don’t get 26 right and figure out how to make sure that we all work well together, then of course there isn’t going to be a long-term partnership.”

It is also worth noting that a short-term deal may give Pochettino the flexibility. He can entirely focus on what is right in front of him. That is, building a squad that can shine in 2026. If successful, then talks of long-term deals certainly become an easy reality. And if it is not, then at least the expectation was clear from the start.

Balancing High Stakes with Short-Term Goals: Mauricio Pochettino’s Task with the USMNT

Is the short-term approach the right move for U.S. soccer? On one hand, the chance to deliver a major success on home soil during the 2026 World Cup is a golden opportunity that U.S. Soccer can’t afford to miss. But on the flip side, focusing too much on short-term gains risks losing sight of the long-term development crucial to building a sustainable soccer powerhouse.

From recent interviews, it seems clear that U.S. Soccer is leaning towards a quick fix, potentially sacrificing long-term growth for immediate results. Hosting a World Cup comes with enormous pressure, and managing the U.S. Men’s National Team on such a massive global stage isn’t for the faint of heart. For U.S. Soccer, this is the ultimate moment to leave a lasting mark on the sport—and they know it.

Mauricio Pochettino, rumored to be in the mix to lead the USMNT, understands that his legacy will be tied to the team’s performance in 2026. If he guides the team to success, he’ll likely be offered a chance to build something more permanent, establishing a foundation for years to come. However, failure on the world’s biggest stage could mean starting from scratch—both for Pochettino and for U.S. Soccer, which would find itself once again searching for a new leader.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. As U.S. Soccer CEO Will Wilson said, “We’ve got to be successful in ’26, and we’ve got to do everything we can to set up U.S. Soccer for long-term success.” The bottom line: there’s no room for failure, and U.S. Soccer is pulling out all the stops to ensure their team reaches the top. It’s a gamble—one that could pay off brilliantly or set the program back years. Only time will tell which path they’ll walk.