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U.S. Soccer has reportedly offered Mauricio Pochettino a new contract that could see him remain at the helm of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) until the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The proposal was made prior to the 2026 World Cup, with Pochettino’s current deal set to expire at the end of that tournament. The Argentine coach has indicated that he is open to continuing, provided the terms are favourable.

Ongoing discussions

Pochettino has openly stated his interest in overseeing a second World Cup cycle with the USMNT. He has often hinted at his willingness to stay and mentioned that he has already declined offers from other clubs out of respect for his current commitment to U.S. Soccer.

“When I was at different clubs, I always remained committed. Of course, there were times when people approached me. I remember at Tottenham, when I received offers and told them, ‘I respect my contract with Tottenham’. That’s how I operate. When an approach happens in this way, I don’t listen, and my representatives don’t listen until after the World Cup. Maybe after the tournament, there’s the possibility of staying on with the federation. Maybe they’ll be interested, maybe not, but that’s my commitment,” Pochettino explained after reports surfaced linking him to Italian powerhouse AC Milan.

U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson confirmed that talks regarding a potential extension have been ongoing. “We’ve had a number of long discussions about what the next four years might look like,” Batson said. “We’re excited, and they’re excited, but for now, our focus remains on the upcoming summer.”

A concrete job offer

According to The Athletic, U.S. Soccer presented Pochettino with a formal offer before the World Cup that would keep him in charge through 2030. Both parties reportedly agreed to hold off on final negotiations until after the tournament, recognising that the team’s performance could influence Pochettino’s long-term decision.

If strong results are the key to another extension, Pochettino appears to be making the right impression early. The U.S. won both of their opening group matches, topping Group D before their final game—a narrow stoppage-time defeat to Turkiye in Los Angeles, where Pochettino fielded a largely rotated side.

Club options dwindling

It was initially believed that several club opportunities would arise for the Argentine this summer. He was reportedly in discussions with Brentford last year, while Milan’s interest was genuine. However, with those positions now filled and others soon to be, Pochettino’s list of potential club destinations appears to be shrinking, even though interest in his services continues across Europe.

“Over the last two years, we’ve had many approaches, and we’ve always said that we’ll finish our contract in July after the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “Of course, we’ve been approached—I won’t lie. I’ve met people from different clubs, but that’s normal because we have many friends in football. My agent works for me to explore future opportunities, as is the case for all managers. There are many examples of people under contract who still engage in discussions with others.”

A strong World Cup - and a promising future

The U.S. team’s World Cup campaign is gathering momentum. They are set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, and they appear to be on a favourable side of the draw. The United States has only one modern-era knockout win at the World Cup, but current form suggests they could surpass that record in this edition.

There are also other major tournaments on the horizon. The U.S. is reportedly expected to host the 2028 Copa America, while Los Angeles will stage the 2030 Olympics—just one month after the conclusion of the World Cup—signalling a vibrant decade ahead for American football.