Pochettino: 'I am 200% Argentine' after US World Cup qualification

Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach of the United States men's national soccer team, reaffirmed his national identity after guiding the team to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. Following a 2-0 victory over Bosnia, which secured their advancement to the round of 16, Pochettino was asked by international journalists if he felt any sense of American identity.

"One thing is to be involved. I love being involved and being part of the party. But I am 200% Argentine. I'm sorry. I'm not going to lie," Pochettino declared during the post-match press conference. The US team secured their win despite a second-half red card for forward Folarin Balogun, holding on with ten players for nearly 30 minutes and adding a second goal from Malik Tillman.

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One thing is to be involved. I love being involved and being part of the party. But I am 200% Argentine. I'm sorry. I'm not going to lie.

Pochettino defended Balogun's red card, calling it an accidental play without intent. He praised his players' resilience in maintaining the lead and specifically highlighted Tillman's performance. The US team is set to face Belgium in Seattle next Monday for their round of 16 match. Pochettino expressed gratitude for the home crowd's support and ended his press availability with an optimistic outlook for his team's World Cup chances, asking, "Why not us?"

The coach is also known for his strict pre-game ritual, wearing the same outfit for each match: a long-sleeved, rolled-up shirt and navy blue trousers, exclusively made by Hugo Boss, paired with white sneakers. This 'lucky charm' attire has garnered international attention, even receiving praise from former English footballer Wayne Rooney. Sources within the US team explained that the decision to stick with the uniform is to maintain their winning streak, a habit Pochettino previously employed during his tenure with Tottenham in 2018.

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Why not us?