USA Soccer Coach Claims 2026 World Cup Victory Possible with Trump's Support

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is gearing up for a potential breakthrough at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. With the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the team is looking to make history on home turf.

The USMNT has a mixed World Cup record, having reached the Round of 16 in three of the last four tournaments they qualified for, but not advancing past the quarterfinals since 2002. The team’s best performance remains their third-place finish in the inaugural 1930 tournament.

However, current USA Soccer manager Mauricio Pochettino believes there’s a wildcard factor that could boost their chances: none other than former President Donald Trump.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Pochettino openly stated that Trump’s influence could help rally the team and the country. "I will say yes. If he asks me, I say yes. President, with your help, with the fans behind [us] hosting the World Cup, all is possible," he remarked.

Pochettino acknowledged the weight of expectations as a host country, noting, "I think the pressure is going to be there because we are a host. And then it's a country where the mentality is about winning. You know, in sport, in everything that Americans are involved in, they want to win. That is the culture. It's cultural. Of course, it's going to be a pressure, but a welcome one. That means that we are going to feel the adrenaline that we need to feel."

Trump, known for his appearances at major sporting events, is expected to attend the World Cup, which will span a month across 11 NFL stadiums. The former president has previously been spotted at events like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and UFC matches, and he continues to make his presence felt in the sports world.

Under Pochettino’s leadership, the USMNT faces the additional challenge of overcoming their disappointing performance in last year’s Copa América, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Despite this, the team’s manager is optimistic about their chances to make a statement on the global stage in 2026.

Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter as coach in September, seems determined to use the pressure and enthusiasm of hosting as fuel for the team’s success. Whether Trump's involvement will be the "secret sauce" remains to be seen, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to an already high-stakes tournament.