Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Mauricio Pochettino remains without a confirmed future at the United States Men’s National Team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. Soccer Federation chief executive JT Batson addressed the matter on Thursday, July 16, 2026, during a media roundtable in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Pochettino’s contract ends with the tournament, while the federation has been without a sporting director since Matt Crocker resigned in April to take a similar position in Saudi Arabia. Batson indicated that neither matter would be settled immediately.
The situation comes during a busy period across the sport, with Canberra United’s future secured following a change of ownership in Australia.
“We are going to take a break after the World Cup and rest and recuperate,” Batson said. He also noted that Pochettino and his staff had remained involved in long-term planning, including talks with Steve Cherundolo about the United States Under-23 role.
The official U.S. Soccer profile of Mauricio Pochettino details his appointment ahead of the home World Cup. His work during the tournament will now be assessed before any agreement is reached.
U.S. Soccer Federation chief operating officer Dan Helfrich did not confirm whether the vacant sporting director position would be filled. He instead pointed to senior staff members Oguchi Onyewu, Barry Pauwels, Tracey Kevins and Emma Hayes as part of the federation’s planning group.
“I anticipate, in the months to come, there’s a little more clarity on structure, but the fundamentals of the team are there,” Helfrich said.
