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U.S. men's national team tops Group D after two World Cup wins
The U.S. men's national team defeated Paraguay and Australia to lead Group D with one match remaining at the 2026 World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the team overcame an initial adjustment period after he and his staff misjudged conditions upon arrival.
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The U.S. men's national team defeated Paraguay 4-1 and Australia to open Group D play at the 2026 World Cup and now leads the group with one match left. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he and his staff misjudged the situation when they arrived. "We were so naive when we signed our contract," he said Tuesday. "We misjudged the situation. It was worse than we really believed."
preparation Pochettino said two Concacaf Nations League final losses in March 2025 served as a needed reset. The team later reached the Gold Cup final and finished 2025 with a five-game unbeaten run. A November meeting produced the team's motto, "Why Not Us?" Pochettino said the phrase came from an unplanned reference to past World Cup runs by South Korea and Morocco.
Contract status Pochettino's contract ends after the tournament.
He declined to discuss an extension while the team remains in competition. U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson spoke with him before the roster announcement. Pochettino said the focus remains on the final group match and any future discussions can occur later.
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