Mauricio Pochettino has responded to reports linking him with a possible move to AC Milan after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that he remains committed to the United States men’s national team.
Recent reports claimed that AC Milan had shown interest in appointing Pochettino once the World Cup ends, leading to speculation about his future with the USMNT.
The Argentine manager took charge of the United States in 2024 and is currently preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup on home soil.
The reports also drew criticism from former USMNT players, including Herculez Gomez, who questioned the timing of the alleged talks with Milan representatives while the national team is focused on World Cup preparations.
Pochettino’s contract with U.S. Soccer runs through the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager said he would be open to staying beyond the tournament.
Pochettino Addresses AC Milan Reports
Addressing the speculation, Pochettino said there had been positive discussions about the future of the national team project.
“If the federation wants to talk with me about the future, it’s similar, no?” Pochettino said. “It’s a similar thing.”
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson also confirmed that talks about a longer-term future with Pochettino have already taken place.
“We've had a number of very long discussions around what the next four years could look like,” Batson said. “We're excited and they're excited. But, of course, we’ve got to focus on the summer, which we're doing.”
Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Despite the speculation surrounding AC Milan, neither the Italian club nor Pochettino’s camp has confirmed any formal agreement.
For now, the focus remains on the USMNT’s preparations for the World Cup, where expectations will be high as the tournament is hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Pochettino has overseen a period of transition with the national team, working with a young squad that includes players competing across Europe’s top leagues.
The USMNT is placed in Group D for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye and will play all of its group-stage matches on home soil, split between California and Washington.
