The World Cup’s coming stateside in 2026, and the buzz is building. From the U.S. to Mexico and Canada, fans are ready—and so is coach Pochettino, with bold plans for the USMNT. When Mauricio Pochettino was announced as the new manager of the USMNT, all supporters were on cloud nine. Many believe that he could be the right person to provide structure, confidence, and a sense of direction to a team that will soon have the potential burden of playing in a World Cup as host. Well, with the expectations through the roof, Pochettino has now revealed setting a quite realistic goal.

Pochettino said he is aware that it won’t be easy. However, a man who has taken clubs to higher levels in the past, and who understands that sometimes success is beyond trophy lifting, understands that success is about growth and that in this case is how far we can take the USMNT and developing it to get it closer to that next level.

In the interview with The Overlap US, Pochettino said, “I’m very honest, I think the target is quarterfinals.”  No pressure to bring the cup home, the target now is something achievable.

“We really believe we can add something to the group, a talented group that can perform better,” Pochettino emphasized. With a young, promising squad featuring talents like Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, and Weston McKennie, Pochettino sees an opportunity to mold a team that can hold its own on the world stage. But, Jamie Carragher thinks a bit differently. 

Pochettino optimistic about U.S. World Cup preparation, Carragher predicts two-year tenure

Pochettino opens up on what we can expect from them. He said, “Here’s the target, here’s the plan, and here’s why we believe we can get there.” To American soccer fans, it is a message that is sad yet exciting all at once. Yes, winning the World Cup is the dream, however, in 2026, the goal is to set the stage for a bigger picture.

Pochettino recently in the It’s Called Soccer podcast said that he had enough time to build for the 2026 World Cup with the USMNT. Jamie Carragher called it a “perfect appointment,” and joked it’d give Pochettino some time off after club football.

However, Carragher believes Pochettino is likely to stay for two years.  “I only see him doing two years, to be totally honest. If those two years culminate in World Cup progress, most American fans will be satisfied.”

As Pochettino embarks on the mission of guiding the USMNT, his honesty, confidence, and tactical skills could be exactly what this squad needs to reach its potential. The countdown to 2026 is officially on, and with it comes faith that America can not only achieve its quarterfinal ambition but set its sights on even grander stages.