What Happened to United States Men's National Team Coach?
The leadership of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) has seen significant changes in recent years, with Mauricio Pochettino currently holding the head coach position as of July 2026. His appointment in August 2024 followed the departure of Gregg Berhalter, who was relieved of his duties after a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 Copa América. Pochettino is now leading the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting, and has guided them to the Round of 32.
Quick Answer
As of July 2, 2026, Mauricio Pochettino is the head coach of the United States Men's National Team, having been appointed in August 2024. He replaced Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after the team's early exit from the 2024 Copa América. Pochettino has successfully led the USMNT through the group stage of the co-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they won Group D, and the team played its Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026. U.S. Soccer has reportedly offered Pochettino a contract extension beyond the current World Cup cycle.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Gregg Berhalter Appointed USMNT Head Coach
Gregg Berhalter, a former USMNT defender, was announced as the team's new head coach, marking his first stint in the role.
Berhalter's Contract Expires Post-World Cup
Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the USMNT reached the Round of 16, Gregg Berhalter's contract with U.S. Soccer expired.
USMNT Automatically Qualifies for 2026 World Cup
As one of the co-host nations, the United States Men's National Team automatically secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gregg Berhalter Reappointed as USMNT Head Coach
After an extensive search and an investigation into a past domestic incident, Gregg Berhalter was officially reappointed to lead the USMNT through the 2026 World Cup cycle.
USMNT Wins Third CONCACAF Nations League Title
Under Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT defeated Mexico 2-0 in the final to win their third CONCACAF Nations League title.
USMNT Begins Copa América with a Win
The USMNT started their 2024 Copa América campaign, hosted in the U.S., with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia.
USMNT Eliminated from Copa América Group Stage
The USMNT suffered a 'historic failure' by being eliminated from the Copa América group stage after losses to Panama and Uruguay.
Gregg Berhalter Relieved of Duties
Following the disappointing Copa América performance, Gregg Berhalter was relieved of his position as USMNT head coach.
Mauricio Pochettino Appointed USMNT Head Coach
Highly regarded Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the new head coach of the USMNT, with a contract through the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino Names 2026 World Cup Roster
Mauricio Pochettino announced the 26-player roster that would represent the United States at the co-hosted FIFA World Cup 2026.
Pochettino Offered Contract Extension
U.S. Soccer reportedly offered Mauricio Pochettino a contract extension to stay beyond the 2026 World Cup, through the 2030 cycle.
USMNT Wins World Cup Group D
The USMNT secured first place in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a loss to Türkiye, advancing to the Round of 32.
USMNT Plays Round of 32 Match
The United States Men's National Team played its Round of 32 match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The role of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) coach has been a subject of intense scrutiny and change, particularly in the lead-up to the co-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Gregg Berhalter led the youngest team in the tournament to the Round of 16, his contract expired, leading to an extensive search and a period of interim coaches.
Berhalter was eventually reappointed as head coach in June 2023, despite a controversial investigation into a decades-old domestic violence incident that was brought to light by the parents of player Gio Reyna. U.S. Soccer's Sporting Director Matt Crocker stated that Berhalter possessed the right vision and experience to lead the team to new heights in 2026. Under his renewed tenure, the USMNT secured their third CONCACAF Nations League title in March 2024, defeating Mexico 2-0 in the final.
However, Berhalter's second stint was cut short after a significantly disappointing performance at the 2024 Copa América, hosted in the United States. The team failed to advance from the group stage, losing to Panama and Uruguay after an initial win against Bolivia. This early exit was widely described as a "historic failure" for a host nation. Consequently, Gregg Berhalter was relieved of his role in July 2024.
In August 2024, Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the new head coach of the USMNT, tasked with preparing the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Pochettino, known for his high-pressing, attacking style and experience with top European clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, was seen as a high-profile hire aimed at elevating the team's global competitiveness. His salary, reportedly the highest in USMNT history at $6 million, was partly supported by donations from commercial partners.
As of July 2, 2026, the USMNT, under Pochettino's guidance, has successfully navigated the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As co-hosts, the United States automatically qualified for the tournament. The team won Group D, despite a 3-2 loss to Türkiye in their final group match, and scored a record eight goals in the group stage. The USMNT played its Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. Pochettino's current contract is set to expire in July 2026, but U.S. Soccer has reportedly offered him an extension, indicating a desire for his continued leadership through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if United States Men's National Team Coach made different choices?