USA Coach Pochettino Calm Ahead of 2026 World Cup Draw – The Athletic
U.S. men’s national soccer team coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his calm demeanor ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw. Speaking at a Telemundo event in Washington, he described the moment as one filled with joy and excitement.
Pochettino’s Calm Perspective on the World Cup Draw
Pochettino emphasized his lack of stress regarding Friday’s draw, where teams will learn their group stage opponents. He stated, “We’re experiencing it with a lot of joy.” This marks a unique moment for the coach, who noted, “It’s the first time I’m going to be in something like this, living this moment.”
U.S. Team’s Group Stage Positioning
As the host country, the U.S. is placed in Pot 1, which allows them to avoid some of the soccer powerhouses such as Argentina, Germany, Brazil, France, and Spain. However, Pochettino highlighted that group difficulty can vary widely.
- Challenging Groups: Colombia, Norway, Italy
- Less Challenging Groups: Austria, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde
Building Support from the Latino Community
Pochettino also addressed the importance of support from the Latino community, urging them to energize the team. He stated, “The message is that they support us…that energy is powerful.”
The coach pointed out the significance of fan synergy during matches. “When the fans are there and the player feels that support, there’s always just a little bit more,” he explained.
Past Performances and Future Matches
The coach reflected on previous matches against Paraguay and Uruguay, attributing their success to the crowd’s enthusiasm in Philadelphia and Tampa. He anticipates similar support during upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta.
Pochettino responded with gratitude to fans in previous locations, crediting them with motivating the team. He remarked, “It’s not a coincidence the team performed against Paraguay and Uruguay in the way they performed.”
Overall, Pochettino remains optimistic about the upcoming World Cup and the potential for fan involvement to enhance team performance.
