Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to a contract extension to remain head coach of the US men’s national soccer team through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, US Soccer announced on August 3, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. The 54-year-old Argentine took over as head coach in 2024 after leaving Chelsea, with his initial contract running through the 2026 World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8].

Under Pochettino’s leadership, the USMNT reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. The team finished top of its group with wins over Paraguay and Australia, earning six points—the highest-ever total for the US in a World Cup group stage. They defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 before falling 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9].

The extension expands Pochettino and his staff’s roles beyond just the national team to include advising and supporting broader US Soccer development. This includes involvement in youth soccer programs, coaching education, and fostering collaboration with professional leagues [2, 3, 6]. Pochettino said, "Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger" [9]. He added that the passion of US fans during the World Cup strengthened his belief in the team’s future.

US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone praised Pochettino’s impact on the team culture, stating, "Mauricio has built a culture where players trust the group, trust the process and trust each other. We saw the impact of that belief in the way the team grew, competed and performed on the world's biggest stage." She said the organization is committed to continuing investment in Pochettino and his staff [2]. US Soccer CEO JT Batson also expressed confidence, saying, "Mauricio and his staff believe in the future of soccer in the United States and our new project allows us to build on progress of the USMNT and the momentum of U.S. Soccer." [1]

The contract extension is backed by philanthropic contributions from donors including billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin [3, 6, 7]. Pochettino’s coaching pedigree includes previous stints at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea [1, 5, 8]. His annual salary was previously estimated at about $4 million [6].

Pochettino and US Soccer will now prepare for the team’s next competitive cycle ahead of the 2030 World Cup.