USMNT Coach Pushes Back on FIFA Decision Before World Cup Opener
Mauricio Pochettino is not fully on board with one of FIFA’s decisions ahead of the United States men’s national team’s World Cup opener. With the tournament being played in the summer across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA has brought in drinks breaks for matches to help players deal with the conditions.
It is not a completely new idea, with similar breaks used during the World Cup in Qatar, but Pochettino believes they should only be used when the weather truly demands it. For the USMNT coach, stopping every game for hydration breaks, even when conditions are manageable, feels unnecessary.
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Speaking on the issue Pochettino said, “I don’t like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme, but when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary.”
There was one thing Pochettino seemed much happier about: the mood around the team is finally starting to match the size of the moment.
For a while, the build-up around the United States men’s national team felt quieter than many expected, especially with the World Cup being played on home soil. That has started to change. The send-off matches brought big crowds, first in Charlotte and then in Chicago, and the atmosphere at Soldier Field clearly stood out to the players and staff.
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Pochettino admitted that he may have expected that level of buzz much earlier in the cycle. Instead, he now feels the excitement has had to be rebuilt over time. With the tournament about to begin, though, he believes that connection is finally visible.
The Germany game still ended in defeat, but it was not a performance without positives. The United States were hit early, yet they did not fall apart. After conceding almost immediately, they settled into the match, pushed Germany back for stretches, and showed enough character to give Pochettino something to build on.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino during training. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Tyler Adams also pointed to the crowd as a major positive, saying those are the types of environments the team needs.
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Now the warm-ups are over. The next time the USMNT take the field, the World Cup will actually be underway.
This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Jun 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Other Sports section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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