By Anietie anii-bassey
Mauricio Pochettino has delivered a bold and unapologetically ambitious message to the United States men’s national team: believe in the impossible and aim to win the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of upcoming international friendlies, the U.S. head coach emphasized that success on the global stage begins with mindset, repeatedly challenging both players and supporters to reject limitations that have historically defined the program.
“Why not us?” Pochettino said, echoing the rallying cry he has already shared privately with his squad. “We need to truly believe we can be there. We need to dream.”
The statement reflects a significant shift in tone for a national team that has long been viewed as competitive but not among the elite contenders in international football. Since taking over the role in late 2024, Pochettino has sought to instill a culture of confidence and ambition, drawing on his experience managing top clubs and competing at the highest levels of the sport.
The United States enters a critical stretch of preparation with friendly matches against Belgium national football team and Portugal national football team, fixtures that will offer a measuring stick against established international powers. For Pochettino, however, the results are only part of the equation. More important is cultivating belief within a group that has often fallen short of deep tournament runs.
Historically, the U.S. has struggled to break into the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup. Its best finish came in the inaugural 1930 edition, when the team reached the semifinals. Since then, progress has been sporadic. A quarterfinal appearance in 2002 remains the modern benchmark, while more recent campaigns have ended in the round of 16 or earlier. The failure to qualify in 2018 was a particularly sobering moment for the program.
Pochettino acknowledged that such history shapes external perceptions but insisted it should not define the team’s future. He pointed to mentality as a decisive factor, contrasting his approach with what he described as overly cautious attitudes in other footballing cultures.
“There are people who think saying you want to win is arrogance,” he explained. “But if you say it will be too difficult, that creates negativity. I am here because I believe we can win, and I want people to believe with us.”
The upcoming World Cup presents a unique opportunity. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, the structure now allows more nations to advance beyond the group stage, potentially opening the door for deeper runs by emerging contenders. The United States, as one of the host nations alongside Canada and Mexico, will also benefit from favorable seeding in the early rounds.
In the group stage, the Americans are set to face Paraguay national football team, Australia national football team and either Turkey national football team or Kosovo national football team. While none of these opponents are considered traditional powerhouses, Pochettino has cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that consistency and focus will be essential from the opening match.
The expanded format means the top two teams in each group, along with the best third-place finishers, will advance to the knockout rounds. It is a system that could reward disciplined performances and provide a pathway for teams capable of building momentum as the tournament progresses.
Pochettino has also stressed the importance of connecting with supporters, arguing that belief must extend beyond the dressing room. He said the team’s energy and ambition should inspire fans, creating a shared sense of purpose as the tournament approaches.
“We need to send the right energy,” he said. “When people believe in the team, that support becomes powerful.”
Only a handful of nations have ever lifted football’s most coveted trophy, with countries like Brazil, Germany and Argentina dominating the competition’s history. For the United States to join that list would require not only exceptional performances but also a transformation in how the team views itself.
For now, Pochettino is focused on laying the psychological foundation for that possibility. His message is clear: ambition is not a risk but a necessity, and the first step toward achieving something extraordinary is believing it can be done.
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