PREVIEW: USA target knockouts at World Cup after Pochettino email drama | OneFootball

James McClair, Football reporter

The United States of America will be hoping to capitalise on home advantage at the 2026 World Cup, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side aim to reach the knockout stages at back-to-back finals.

The Stars and Stripes have progressed from the group stage in their last three World Cup appearances. They most recently bowed out at the Round of 16 stage in Qatar four years ago, after failing to qualify for the 2018 finals in Russia.

Pochettino recently drew criticism for contacting the players not included in his 26-man squad by email, a decision which he staunchly defended amidst questions from the media. The Argentine said he “didn’t sleep” for two weeks after axing the likes of Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann and Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris.

AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic remains the key talisman for the US but the former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund man has a stronger supporting cast than he did in Qatar.

Young forwards Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun both demonstrated their goalscoring exploits in this season’s UEFA Champions League whilst Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman adds a threat from deep.

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards played a key part in the Eagles’ triumphant UEFA Conference League campaign but his fitness remains in doubt as he battles an ankle injury.

Richards agonisingly missed the competition four years ago through a hamstring problem and would be a huge loss if he’s unable to recover for the USA’s clash with Paraguay.

The likes of Brenden Aaronson and Weston McKennie will head into the tournament’s 23rd edition in better form this time around, whilst Coventry forward Haji Wright and Marseille’s Tim Weah will be looking to better the one goal they each mustered up in 2022.

Since Pochettino took charge of the national side 21 months ago, the US have slowly found their feet.

Their preparation has largely been made up of friendly matches due to the fact host nations automatically qualify for the competition. After suffering defeat in last year’s Gold Cup final to fellow hosts Mexico, the Stars and Stripes have landed some eye-catching results.

They’ve recorded wins over the likes of Japan, Senegal and Uruguay – who have each picked up results against Thomas Tuchel’s England in the last 12 months.

The US also beat Australia and Paraguay, both of whom they’ll meet in Group D. They’ll also face Turkiye, who are appearing at just their third World Cup finals, and Pochettino will be aiming to top the group.

The former Spurs and PSG boss will be quietly confident the USMNT can reap the benefits of co-hosting the tournament. Pochettino can take inspiration from Russia, who embarked on a run to the quarter finals on home soil, as well as Germany, Brazil and South Korea, who have all made it to the last four at their respective World Cups this century.

Whilst Pochettino refuses to rule out the possibility of his side winning the competition, reaching the last eight – which they’ve only managed once since 1930 – would be a mighty achievement, particularly given the extra knockout round at this year’s finals.

The US begin their campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles in the early hours of Saturday 13th of June (GMT) before they meet Australia six days later in Seattle. They then return to LA to face Turkiye on the morning of Friday 26th June.