Mauricio Pochettino assured Donald Trump that the U.S. Men's National Team could win the FIFA World Cup. The tournament is less than 50 days away, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Key points
Mauricio Pochettino is the head coach of the USMNT.
Donald Trump inquired about the USMNT's World Cup chances.
The FIFA World Cup is under 50 days away.
The tournament will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
High ticket prices may dampen fan excitement.
Mentioned in this story
U.S. Men's National TeamMauricio PochettinoDonald TrumpUnited StatesCanadaMexico
FIFA World Cup
U.S. President Donald Trump holding the FIFA World Cup
U.S. President Donald Trump was told by U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino that 'of course' they could win the FIFA World Cup -Credit:Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
When President Donald Trump asked Mauricio Pochettino whether the U.S. Men's National Team stood a chance of lifting the upcoming FIFA World Cup trophy, the head coach declined to dismiss the possibility.
The USMNT has also struggled for consistency in recent months, failing to test either Belgium or Portugal in friendlies. Nevertheless, Pochettino maintains that it's "all about belief" and assured President Trump that the U.S. has what it takes to be crowned world champions.
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U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks on during a game
Pochettino will look to guide the USMNT to a knockout stage win for the first time since 2002 -Credit:Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
U.S. Soccer brought Pochettino on board to maximize the USMNT's prospects at a home World Cup, yet he faces enormous pressure to deliver results this summer. The USMNT hasn't made it to the quarterfinals since 2002, and hasn't reached the final four since 1930.
Pochettino has given varying responses when pressed on his ambitions for the summer, stopping short of committing to a specific target. That said, he has dropped hints that a semifinal run is his aim, pointing to Morocco and South Korea as examples of sides that exceeded all expectations.
The USMNT head coach couldn't dodge the question when Trump posed it at the FIFA World Cup draw back in December. During a recent appearance on 'Stick to Football,' Pochettino revealed that Trump had asked whether the U.S. could go all the way, via The Mirror US.
"When I met Mr. President before the draw in Washington, he asked, 'Do you think coach that we can win?' I say, 'Of course,'" Pochettino said.
"Yes, why not? Because it's all about belief. Look at Morocco in Qatar, it's all about belief. Or South Korea in Japan. I think there are plenty of examples."
Pochettino then looked back on his managerial career and spoke about guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the UEFA Champions League final against all expectations. Spurs overturned a three-goal deficit to shock Ajax and reach the final, only to fall 2-0 to Liverpool.
Nevertheless, it remains one of the most unforgettable semifinals in Champions League history, and notably, Liverpool also overturned a three-goal deficit against Barcelona in their semifinal that same year. Pochettino has lived through some stunning comebacks and hopes the USMNT can channel that same fighting spirit.
"I think because all is possible in football, and because I really believe that everything is possible, look what happened in 2019, in Amsterdam," Pochettino added. "It's because the standard, the habit, and the mentality were to believe and dream to the end.
"If you ask, everyone wants to win. But after, it's how you create that habit, the mentality, the capacity, the resilience, and everything after in that tough moment, that energy like a group, it's not one player, it's a core group. The opportunity always happens."
The USMNT will take on Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey in the group stage of the World Cup, with the top two sides progressing to the knockout rounds. Thanks to an expanded tournament format, eight of the 12 highest-ranked third-place finishers will also advance beyond the group stage.
