Trusting USMNT’s World Cup Chances, Mauricio Pochettino Lists ‘Day 1’ Goals for Christian Pulisic & U.S. Soccer Stars

“At some point, the US will win the World Cup.” Remember these golden words from David Beckham? Hearing this surely struck a chord with fans who continue to dream of this day. Well, while there’s a long way to go with that dream, they now have a new coach with a similar mindset. “Thinking big” is exactly what Mauricio Pochettino wants the USMNT stars to do, as the new manager is already eyeing to achieve significant glory.  

Forget his debut, the Argentinian tactician hasn’t even conducted his first training session with Christian Pulisic and Co. Yet, the former Tottenham boss is leaving no stone unturned in setting the scene for dreaming of winning the prestigious trophy. While speaking about the mentality that he would like to instill within the team, Pochettino said, “We need to believe we can win. Not win just a game, but to win the World Cup. We want players to arrive on day 1 thinking big.”

Earlier, we often used to hear that the Star and Stripe’s only goal was just to focus on securing a better place finish in big tournaments like the World Cup or Copa America. However, all of that is about to change as Pochettino wouldn’t allow the group to settle for less. In fact, his first words as USMNT manager during the press conference make it clear that he has come up with one motto, ‘No excuses, just soccer.’

This explains the kind of tactical game plan that he wishes to instill among the American boys. “We are flexible. We’re a coaching staff that wants to play good football. To convince our fans to join us, the aesthetic is important. We want to play nice football, attacking football,” added Poch in the presser, addressing how he wishes to play his side.

Luckily, fans would have to wait just one month to see Project 2026 initiate under the leadership of the former Premier League manager. Though one would argue that there isn’t much time remaining for USMNT to prepare for the World Cup, Pochettino thinks otherwise.

Mauricio Pochettino won’t tolerate any ‘excuses’ ahead of 2026 World Cup preparations

Though the former PSG boss may have confidentially expressed his desire to see USMNT win the Golden trophy, there’s certainly not much time for them to make that sort of preparations. However, Mauricio remains undeterred. “I believe that we have enough time,” he said, despite acknowledging that not everyone would agree with him.

“I don’t want to put an excuse or create one for the player to say, ‘Oh we don’t have time to buy the new ideas, the new philosophy’; no. Football is like this [click]. It’s to touch the right button and start to perform,” concluded the former Southampton man. Notably, there’s a difference of just 10 international windows before the World Cup will kick off.

Unlike club soccer, where Pochettino had the world of time to constantly work with players, Christian Pulisic and Co. would be coming in different intervals throughout the years. This would give less time to the former Chelsea man to make them understand his game plan and then churn the results out of them. Regardless, this is the only bet that both Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT will surely have to take.