Pochettino warns US: 'Football is not basketball, watch out for arrogance'
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Mauricio Pochettino, Argentina coach, warned the United States against any excess of confidence before their first match of the 2026 World Cup. He stressed that American domination in sports like basketball does not translate to football, calling for tempering the ambitions of the selection with a lucid look at international reality.
On the eve of the start of the 2026 World Cup for the American selection, Mauricio Pochettino moderated the debates during a significant press conference. Asked about the state of mind and expectations around the United States team, the former PSG and Tottenham coach did not mince his words.
“I accept the arrogance of teams like Spain, Argentina, England, France… but when I see the arrogance of the American team, I think they are on the wrong track,” Pochettino said, pointing out a confidence deemed excessive. The Argentine coach believes that prestige in football is built over time, very differently from other disciplines.
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Pochettino went on to clarify: “The United States may be the best in basketball or hockey, but in football they haven't won anything in a long time. » In his eyes, there is an imbalance between the image that Americans have of their level and the reality on the international scene.
“I hope we can win, but it is essential to find a balance. Sometimes here they think that it is enough to be strong in other sports to also be strong in football,” he insisted.
The United States, who will face Paraguay in their first match, therefore seem to be at the turning point, between national ambition and the need to remain lucid in the face of global competition.