World Cup 2026 Soccer Mauricio Pochettino shouldn’t return after USMNT’s World Cup ‘abject failure’: Alexi Lalas By Howie Kussoy Published July 11, 2026, 11:13 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google “You had one job, and you blew it.”
The case for cutting ties with Mauricio Pochettino is as simple as that to Alexi Lalas, referring to the U.S.’ embarrassing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the World Cup.
The Fox Sports analyst needed about half a second to declare the coach needed to “go” when asked about Pochettino’s future with the team during an interview with talkSPORT.
“I mean, it’s not that I want him to leave. I just think that this cycle has run its course,” Lalas said. “When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino, you had one job. And it was the game against Belgium. You win that game, then you’re in some rarefied air. And it’s not gravy but let’s be honest, you’re playing against Spain. And you take your chances, you’re back in an underdog type of role.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team lost in the Round of 16. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren “So I think that they [U.S. Soccer] move on. I believe he’s had a good time, but you had one job, and you blew it. And, you know, you live and die by that. Every coach understands that, every manager understands that, and certainly Mauricio Pochettino does.”
Pochettino’s contract expires this summer, but he could receive an extension that would keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
Neither he nor U.S. Soccer — which said it agreed to continue discussing a possible extension — have made any decisions public.
“We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program,” U.S. soccer said in a statement. “We have shared excitement about our potential and also shared clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition.”
Alexi Lalas dissecting the United States’ World Cup performance. @talksportworldcup26/YouTube Pochettino, 54, was a celebrated hire when he took the job nearly two years ago, having previously coached some of the world’s best teams (Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea) and managed some of the world’s best players (Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Neymar).
As recently as a week ago, Pochettino looked like the perfect fit for the job, leading the Americans on a thrilling run to the Round of 16.
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Then, with the nation’s second quarterfinal appearance just one win away, the U.S. faceplanted on its home turf, absolutely overmatched in what was considered a coin-flip game.
“It was an abject failure,” Lalas said. “It’s one thing to go out to Belgium, it’s another thing to go out in the way they went out, especially with the way that they looked through the tournament. I don’t think the confidence and excitement was misplaced for this team, but they picked the worst possible day to play their worst possible game. It’s obviously on Mauricio Pochettino and these players.
“Does it completely negate everything they did? No. But the reality is a lot of that goodwill and a lot of the people that came into the tent … they’re left shaking their head and there’s an inquiry going on right now … rightfully holding this team and this coach to account.”
