Mauricio Pochettino's US World Cup Plan Backed by Billionaire Funding

Argentina‑born coach Mauricio Pochettino says the United States must undergo a cultural shift to become a football power, noting that "there is a confusion that says: 'I am the United States of America… the number one, the biggest and best country in the world'" but football tradition runs deeper in nations like Argentina, Brazil, England and Spain. He points to the growing impact of Lionel Messi’s move to MLS as evidence of accelerating development, and stresses the need for a stronger emotional link between the sport and American society as the host nation prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

The hiring of Pochettino was made possible by major philanthropic contributions from hedge‑fund billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin and investor Scott Goodwin, who covered a substantial part of the coach’s salary that US Soccer could not afford on its own. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said the deal would not have happened without their donations. The move follows the United States' disappointing Copa América 2024 campaign and the dismissal of former coach Gregg Berhalter, and replaces earlier attempts to recruit Jürgen Klopp that fell through.

Pochettino’s appointment reflects a broader strategy to raise the level of American football ahead of the 2026 tournament, with financial backing from wealthy donors seen as an investment in the sport’s long‑term growth in the country.