There's 15 months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup and each of the host nations and their fans are in different headspaces.
Mexico, under Javier Aguirre's leadership once again, are on the ascendency in Concacaf. Canada, despite being overmatched by the former in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, will feel 2026 is their year to make a statement. Then there's the United States men's national team. Four days meant for improvement turned into 180 minutes of regression.
Copa America was the breaking point for the Gregg Berhalter tenure. Eliminated in the group stage, uninspired play and frustrated fans pushed the U.S. Soccer Federation to relieve Berhalter of his duties.
In steps Mauricio Pochettino. A man who built his managerial résumé across La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Premier League. He took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final, lifted trophies with Paris Saint-Germain—now anointed to lead a golden generation of United States talent on home soil in a World Cup.
Through eight games in charge, he's won five and lost three. The wins—three friendlies and two competitive matches against Jamaica—hardly inspire confidence. The losses—one friendly and the two debacles of the Concacaf Nations League final weekend—came against rivals both old and new. Another tournament has come and gone with no signs of improvement, rather regression as opportunities to build belief keep passing this team by.
Where does this team go from here?
