Mauricio Pochettino delivers mandate for USMNT: ‘World Cup will now start in March’

Mauricio Pochettino delivers mandate for USMNT: ‘World Cup will now start in March’

The World Cup may not begin until June, but for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, the tournament mindset needs to start when their next camp begins in March.

World Cup Watch: USA's Pochettino Understands No Time Left To Waste

For the more than 70 players who have worn the U.S. men's national team jersey since Mauricio Pochettino took over with a mandate to produce a good 2026 World Cup showing on home soil, March is the month that counts. The 48-team tournament — which the U.S. will co-host alongside North American neighbors Canada and Mexico — doesn’t kick off until June. Pochettino won’t name his 26-strong World Cup squad until late May. But with just a handful of …