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The U.S. Men’s National Team is moving on to the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino thinks the media has forgotten about the accomplishment.
Pochettino, 54, unloaded on reporters after the U.S. lost to Turkiye, 3-2, on Thursday, June 25, in a group stage match that was ultimately meaningless because Turkiye had already been eliminated and the U.S. had already won its group.
“The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Türkiye is staying,” he said after the match. “I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won.”
The United States won its first two matches in group stage play, clinching first place and a spot in the knockout stage before ever taking the pitch against Turkiye. As a result, Pochettino rested many of his key players to preserve them for the do-or-die matches to come. He also wanted to keep some starters off the pitch to prevent them from picking up another yellow card in a meaningless game.
He was asked if doing so was worth missing the opportunity to become the first U.S. men’s team ever to win all three group games at the World Cup.
“Making history is winning the World Cup,” Pochettino replied. “It’s not winning three matches only within the World Cup. I don’t really understand. It’s a little bit petty if you will — you’re thinking a little too small. You’re telling me you could make history — what does it mean to win three matches if you lose the next one?”
Pochettino was also asked if the surprising loss to Turkiye would carry over into the next match.
“What would you like me to tell you?” he asked. “Whatever I tell you, it’s not going to convince you. A newspaper is going to write whatever they think or whatever they want. But honestly speaking, I go back to [this]: We qualified as No. 1 and we’re going to the next round.”
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“Winning this game or not winning this game is not going to change [my mood],” Pochettino concluded. “The objective is to finish first. And we are first. And now is the next stage. We are ready.”
Next up, the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
While the U.S. coach seems to be fending off reporters questioning a loss in a match that didn’t matter, Bosnia’s coach Sergej Barbarez said his team is just happy to be there.
“All of this is a bonus for us,” he said when asked about playing the U.S. on its home soil. “We will be extremely relieved, and we will try to take on any team that comes our way. We are confident enough to face anyone.”
