Pochettino Predicts U.S. Soccer Dominance Despite Political Pressure

INGLEWOOD, California — Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, expressed confidence in the country’s potential to dominate soccer within the next decade, even in light of political pressures from President Donald Trump. Speaking to the media on March 19, Pochettino emphasized that he believes the U.S. can be a leader in the sport in as little as five years.

“I think we can dominate soccer, maybe in ten or 15 years, or perhaps less: five, six, seven years. The potential is enormous,” said Pochettino. “In five or ten years, I’m sure we can be number one in the world.”

Pochettino took over the team last September, succeeding Gregg Berhalter, to guide the U.S. through the upcoming 2026 World Cup, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico. While he refrained from predicting an unexpected triumph in next year’s tournament, he acknowledged the added pressure that comes with being a host nation.

“For us, the pressure will be there because we are hosts,” he said. “In sports, when Americans are involved, they want to win. The players know there will be immense pressure, and our president (Trump) likes to exert pressure, but that is welcome. It means we will feel the adrenaline we need to feel. We are ready to perform.”

Despite welcoming the challenge, Pochettino voiced discomfort with the response from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who, during a recent visit to the White House, said the U.S. could win the World Cup. “Gianni said yes, but I was disappointed by this response,” he commented. “He should have said, ‘You need to ask your great coach, Pochettino.’ Because surely he can give a better opinion.”

On March 18, prior to the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, Pochettino and other coaches addressed the influence of current geopolitical tensions. During a press conference, Pochettino insisted that politics should remain separate from sports.

<p“I believe we cannot mix political issues with sports,” Pochettino continued. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk. I have my views. But I represent the federation, and I do not want to discuss politics.”

The U.S. is set to face Panama in the first semifinal on Thursday, followed by Canada taking on Mexico. “I’m hopeful that this tournament can best reflect our societies, in the sense that we don’t have to lose time booing anthems and entangling in politics; we can focus on the players and teams and support the love for the game,” said Canadian coach Jesse Marsch.

Marsch, who spoke extensively about geopolitical tensions last month, criticized derogatory comments about Canada and called for a focus on collaboration rather than competition. “As a U.S. citizen, I feel ashamed of the arrogance and contempt we’ve shown towards one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies,” he stated.

The pressure to perform is also pervasive in the Mexico team, led by Javier Aguirre. Aguirre must navigate challenges as he prepares for a crucial semifinal match against Canada on Thursday following a disappointing string of performances.

<p“We need to have a perfect game,” Aguirre noted. “If we want to move to the second round, we cannot make mistakes in the small details. Mexico is capable of defeating Canada; I truly believe that.”

While Aguirre is aware of the looming challenges, including the absence of key players, he is focused on crafting a winning strategy. The championship match will occur this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, marking a pivotal moment for all participating teams as they vie for the title.