Mauricio Pochettino, 54, has been offered a contract extension by U.S. Soccer that would keep him as head coach of the men's national team through the 2030 World Cup [1, 2, 3]. His current deal runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup, which is underway in North America [1, 2, 3].
Contract negotiations have been ongoing for several months ahead of the 2026 tournament. Both Pochettino and U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson publicly discussed the talks as recently as May 2026 [1, 3]. Pochettino recalled, "[U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson] asked if we are open to listen [to] the project of the federation for the next four years and we said, of course, we are open" [2, 3]. Batson said Pochettino "had standing offers from other places to come, and he wanted to be here" [1].
Pochettino currently earns about $4 million annually with the potential to reach $6 million including bonuses, making him the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history [1, 2]. Despite links to clubs such as AC Milan and Brentford during his tenure, Pochettino has remained focused on the U.S. national team [1, 2, 3].
U.S. Soccer seeks to maintain continuity by retaining Pochettino for the next four-year cycle through 2030 [3]. No final decision on the contract is expected until after the 2026 World Cup ends [1, 2, 3].
Under Pochettino’s guidance, the U.S. qualified for the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup and is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the knockout stage as of June 27 [1, 3].
Pochettino was hired as head coach in October 2024 [2]. On May 24, he formally heard U.S. Soccer's extension proposal during a dinner in New York City [2].
The U.S. will now prepare for the round of 32 match while contract talks continue behind the scenes following the tournament.
