Pochettino Takes the Reins: US Soccer Hires Argentine Manager for 2026 World Cup

US Soccer has hired Mauricio Pochettino to lead its men's national team into the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine manager, previously at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, took the job in September 2024 with a single mandate: win a knockout-round match for the first time since 2002.

Pochettino's base annualized salary is $6.04 million, making him the highest-paid coach in US Men's National Team history.

Under Pochettino, the team has compiled a record of 13 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses through May 2026. However, the real test arrives this summer with the World Cup.

Crypto sponsors are taking notice of the partnership. Kraken, Chiliz, and Algorand have increased their involvement with the program ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Chiliz operates the Socios fan token platform, while Algorand previously served as FIFA's official blockchain partner.