Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff are on the verge of joining the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) as preparations intensify for the upcoming friendly against Canada on September 7. While the deal is not yet finalized, ongoing negotiations between U.S. Soccer, Pochettino, and Chelsea are reportedly positive, despite lingering details related to Pochettino’s severance package with the London club.

If all goes as planned, Pochettino will be in Kansas City to oversee the match against Canada, with another friendly against New Zealand scheduled three days later in Cincinnati. However, it remains uncertain whether Pochettino will officially take charge on the sidelines for the Canada game, but he is expected to be heavily involved with the U.S. squad for both fixtures.

A source close to the negotiations, who chose to remain anonymous, emphasized that Pochettino is “extremely excited” about the opportunity to lead the U.S. team as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Pochettino’s appointment comes after a season at Chelsea, where he guided the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League before parting ways with the club in May.

Pochettino’s connection with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker, along with Crocker’s transparent approach regarding the state of the program, played a pivotal role in convincing the Argentine coach to accept the position, reportedly for a salary far below what he could command in Europe. While U.S. Soccer’s commercial partners might bolster his compensation, they are not directly involved in the final stages of the deal.

The excitement surrounding Pochettino’s expected arrival is palpable, especially given the success of the U.S. women’s national team under head coach Emma Hayes, who led them to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Hayes’ success has sparked renewed interest and support from the federation’s sponsors, setting the stage for what many hope will be a transformative period for the men’s team.

USMNT Star player Christian Pulisic and defender Sergiño Dest have already voiced their enthusiasm about Pochettino’s potential impact, expressing hope that his experience and tactical acumen will help elevate the team as they prepare for the World Cup on home soil. With the clock ticking towards the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino’s presence could be the catalyst the USMNT needs to achieve success on the global stage.