The 2026 World Cup will come to the USA after they hosted an iconic event in 1994. The dynamics have changed; even the expectations. People expected USMNT to perform at the highest level. Unluckily, their performances have a lot left to be desired. The Copa America competition became one to forget for the team after failing to qualify, from the group stages. Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino comes with lofty expectations to change the team dynamics. And Emma Hayes is the target.

Compared to the USMNT, the USWNT is arguably the greatest women’s team of all time. They have won four World Cups and five Olympic gold medals. Those are ridiculous numbers. Therefore, the USMNT would want to improve its mindset and tactics to compete with the best.

In an interview with Gary Neville on the Overlap US, Pochettino discussed the impact of the women’s team by stating, “Another is because you see the USA is massive. In all the sports, they compete to win. Great athletes. The women’s team is the best. Emma is one of the best coaches, you know. And that was also another key factor, you know. Because I like this type of challenge to say come on, why not too much?”

No one can argue how the women’s team competes at the highest level. They are the benchmark for every sports team in the world and the men’s team can take a tactic out of their playbook.

“Why not provide the men’s team this capacity to compete better? I think we have good players. They play good football. If you want to win, you need to compete better. And that is maybe what we can add, you know, to them. To help, you know to compete better and to have the possibility to win big trophies,” continued Pochettino.

Mauricio Pochettino targets the 2026 World Cup!

For years, U.S. athletes competed in some of the major sporting events. But they have not solved the soccer conundrum after a third place in 1930. Even though a certain Argentine plies his trade for Inter Miami, the national soccer team continues to underwhelm at any given time. Hence, Pochettino targets the World for better performances. And they surely need to amp up their game!

Pochettino ended his thoughts by explaining, “I think it was one of the key factors to have the World Cup here in less than two years. And in 22 months, you’re going to have the possibility to play a World Cup. I think the timing was perfect. If you say to me, design the planning to show a national team like USA that was perfect. You know, timing. That was one of the key factor.”

There is no hiding from it. The USMNT must perform at its highest level for a nation that dominates sports. To sum up, Mauricio Pochettino has his task cut out. Do you think he can turn the team around?