The long-awaited official hire of former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach of the US men’s national soccer team (USMNT) has finally come to fruition.

The Argentinian manager who has led some of Europe's biggest clubs will now take over the U.S. men's squad with less than two years to go before the U.S. co-hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

In the 20 months before the 2026 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino will gather the U.S. men’s national soccer team at training camps to shape the roster, create bonds, implement tactical changes and restore confidence in a program that lost its way this summer.

New US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday that his aim is nothing short of competing with – and beating – the best teams in the world.

It is perhaps easy to hear Mauricio Pochettino say his new players must “believe” they can win the World Cup and roll your eyes. It’s the sort of flashy soundbite in first press conferences that ambitious managers often produce.

"I'm impressed that you remembered to say 'soccer,'" U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone quipped right after Pochettino's opening remarks. Pochettino slipped back into his default term, "football,

U.S. men’s soccer made history on Wednesday with the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the national team.

The 52-year-old former Tottenham and Chelsea manager set a high bar during his 48-minute introductory news conference Friday, three days after he agreed to coach the Americans through the 2026 World Cup.