Mauricio Pochettino's future as United States Men's National Team head coach could finally be decided next week, with the Argentine confirming he is close to making a decision after receiving a contract extension offer from U.S. Soccer.
The 54-year-old guided the USA to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before their campaign came to an emphatic end with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16.
Despite that disappointing exit, U.S. Soccer remain keen to keep the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager in charge through to the 2030 World Cup.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Pochettino confirmed discussions are ongoing.
"We are evaluating it, looking at it. They have made me an offer to continue, and we will see. Next week we will make a decision," he said.
His comments suggest one of the biggest managerial decisions in international football could be resolved within days.
Why Pochettino's USA Future Remains Uncertain
On paper, reaching the knockout stages represented progress for the United States.
The Americans defeated Paraguay and Australia in the group stage before overcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach the Round of 16. In the process, Pochettino recorded more World Cup victories than any United States coach has managed at a single tournament.
But football rarely remembers how you begin tournaments. It remembers how you finish them. Against Belgium, the USA produced arguably their poorest performance under Pochettino.
The 4-1 defeat exposed defensive weaknesses, tactical confusion and a midfield unable to cope with Belgium's quality. What had looked like an encouraging tournament quickly became one remembered for a painful collapse.
Why U.S. Soccer Wants Pochettino To Stay
Despite the disappointment, the federation appears determined to continue with the Argentine. According to reports, Pochettino has been offered a new four-year contract worth around $6 million per year that would keep him in charge until after the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Chief Executive JT Batson also struck an optimistic tone when discussing negotiations: "From a men's national team coaching standpoint, we're in active discussions with Mauricio and staff about the future.
"We all share a belief that the best days of U.S. soccer are ahead of us... We're excited about the discussions."
The federation's confidence extends beyond the senior team.
Batson also revealed Pochettino was involved in appointing former USMNT defender Steve Cherundolo as the new United States Under-23 head coach ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, underlining the long-term influence he is already having within the programme.
The Critics Believe Belgium Changed Everything
Not everyone believes Pochettino deserves another cycle.
Former United States defender Alexi Lalas delivered one of the strongest criticisms following the Belgium defeat, arguing that the World Cup represented a missed opportunity that should ultimately define the manager's tenure.
"You had one job. It was the game against Belgium."
Lalas accepted the USA had shown encouraging signs earlier in the tournament but argued that collapsing when it mattered most outweighed the positives.
"It was an abject failure. It's one thing to go out to Belgium, it's another thing to go out in the way they went out."
His view reflects a section of supporters who expected the USA to establish themselves among the world's leading nations after appointing one of international football's highest-profile coaches.
The Expectations That Came With Pochettino's Appointment
Pochettino arrived in the United States in 2024 with enormous expectations.
After successful spells at Spurs, PSG and Chelsea, he became the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history and entered the 2026 World Cup as the third-highest-paid manager at the tournament, behind only Carlo Ancelotti and Julian Nagelsmann.
With that investment came expectation.
Progress was expected.
Quarter-final contention was expected.
Instead, the tournament ended with one of the USA's heaviest World Cup knockout defeats.
When Will Pochettino Decide His USA Future?
For now, both sides appear willing to continue the relationship.
Pochettino has acknowledged the extension offer, while U.S. Soccer continues to publicly back its manager despite the World Cup disappointment.
The final decision is now expected next week.
In the meantime, Pochettino's attention will briefly switch to Sunday's World Cup final between his native Argentina and Spain.
Speaking about the final, he praised both teams but highlighted Argentina's ability to manage high-pressure moments through the influence of Lionel Messi.
Whether he is watching as Argentina's supporter or simply as one of football's leading coaches, his own future could soon become one of the biggest stories to emerge from World Cup 2026.
