10 July 2026
USMNT Looks to the Future After World Cup Disappointment
After a thrilling but ultimately frustrating home World Cup, the United States men's team faces big decisions on its coach, its leadership and its path to 2030.
The United States enjoyed a memorable home World Cup, but the round of 16 exit left plenty of questions unanswered. The Guardian reports that Mauricio Pochettino's contract has expired and while US Soccer has made an extension offer, both parties are taking time before committing to anything.
The uncertainty is deepened by the departure of sporting director Matt Crocker before the tournament even began. Crocker left abruptly to take a similar role in Saudi Arabia, leaving a gap in the federation's leadership structure that still needs to be filled.
Despite the exit, The Guardian notes that most of the 2026 squad's core is still young enough to contend for 2030. The road back begins with World Cup qualifying in November 2027, where the US will enter as the top seed in their group.
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