As the clock ticks down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, all eyes are on Mauricio Pochettino and how the upcoming draw will influence his strategy for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). The draw, scheduled to take place today at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will determine the USMNT's group stage opponents.
Pochettino, who took the reins of the USMNT in September 2024, faces the challenge of leading the team on home soil in what will be the biggest World Cup in history. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time. The USMNT, as one of the host nations, has been pre-assigned to Group D.
The draw will determine which three teams from pots 2, 3, and 4 will join the U.S. in group play. However, due to FIFA's draw constraints, 14 teams are ineligible to be drawn into Group D. These include fellow host nations Mexico and Canada, other CONCACAF teams like Panama, Curacao, and Haiti, and playoff teams with CONCACAF ties. Additionally, the USMNT will avoid other Pot 1 teams such as Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Pochettino has expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead the USMNT. "The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on," Pochettino said. "The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me".
The USMNT's performance in the 2026 World Cup is highly anticipated, especially considering their history and recent form. The team hasn't advanced beyond the World Cup Round of 16 since 2002, and they failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018. However, Pochettino is confident that the team is on the right path. He emphasized the importance of winning and instilling a winning mentality within the team.
The USMNT's first match is scheduled for June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Their second match will be on June 19, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Pochettino's appointment has been met with enthusiasm, with many believing that he is the right person to lead the USMNT to success on the global stage. U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker praised Pochettino as a "serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams".
As the World Cup draw unfolds, Pochettino and the USMNT will be eager to learn their fate and begin preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. The draw's outcome will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping Pochettino's coaching strategy and the team's approach to the tournament. With the world watching, Pochettino aims to guide the USMNT to a historic performance on home soil.
