The wait is finally over! With less than two years to go before the 2026 World Cup, the

USMNT has found their man. Mauricio Pochettino has officially signed on as head coach, bringing his wealth of experience from his time at Tottenham Hotspur to the American side. The pressure is on to transform the team into genuine contenders on the global stage, and Pochettino is wasting no time in getting to work.

While Pochettino is known for his tactical brilliance and ability to get the best out of his players, he’s also drawing inspiration from an unexpected source—Emma Hayes and the powerhouse USWNT. With the women’s team setting the standard for international success, Pochettino sees them as the perfect motivators for the Yanks. And it’s clear that he’s already setting ambitious goals, pushing the team to rise to the occasion and instill a winning mentality that could carry them far in the 2026 tournament.

Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to be like the USWNT. Speaking in his first press conference, he stated, “I think only in soccer that we need to be inspired by the many sports that we have here. But I think, for me one of the most important things that we need to be inspired from is in the women’s team,” acknowledging the need to left their spirits.

He continued, “I think we have Emma that’s for me the best coach. But you know now we have Emma that is the best coach in the world and the women’s team in history, that’s won everything.  Cindy (Parlow Cone), and I think we need to match you,” insisting they have a winning mentality.

We have arrived at a point where soccer enthusiasts feel that this could be a defining moment for the sport in the country. With a history of winning 5 World Cups and 4 Olympic golds, USWNT takes strong strides forward. Take for example Emma Hayes, who had just a little more than two months to prepare for the Olympics yet led the team to gold at Paris with 6 continuous wins. Under heavy pressure after a relatively disappointing World Cup, Hayes and Co’s performance proved what they were made up of. Nevertheless, the former Chelsea coach’s arrival will set different anticipations for the Stars and Stripes.

Mauricio Pochettino sets the mark straight for USMNT to avoid any excuses

The USMNT’s performances, in recent years, have fallen short of their true potential. Despite dominating major CONCACAF tournaments, they haven’t advanced past the round of 16 in the World Cup since 2002. With the 2026 tournament being held on home soil, fans expect nothing less than a fierce and formidable showing. And new head coach Mauricio Pochettino is making it clear—there’s no room for complacency. He has challenged his players to take “more responsibility” and approach the World Cup with the mindset of true competitors. Pochettino has expressed full confidence that there’s plenty of time to prepare, dismissing any concerns about the clock running out.

The team, too, has reason to be excited about working under Pochettino. Known for his expertise in developing young talent, the Argentine coach has proven his ability with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped shape stars like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. With Pochettino now at the helm, fans can expect big changes—not just in the squad but in the way the USMNT plays. The team’s style, discipline, and approach to the game could undergo a major transformation, setting the stage for a thrilling run at the 2026 World Cup.