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U.S. 4-1 Belgium loss; Pochettino contract expires.

7/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The United States lost 4-1 to Belgium in round of 16 of 2026 World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino, hired September 2024, is out of contract after the tournament.
U.S. Soccer said it had pre-World Cup talks with Pochettino and will keep discussions open as he plans to rest and speak with federation soon.
Media link Pochettino to AC Milan or a Premier League return, noting his finish and 2-0 win over Bosnia.

History

Historical Context

After the U.S. men’s team’s 2-0 defeat to Brazil in the 1998 World Cup, USSF fired coach Steve Sampson in February 1999, beginning a cycle of rapid changes. The pattern resurfaced when Belgium eliminated the co-hosts after a 4-1 loss in the 2026 round of 16, prompting the September 2024 appointment of Mauricio Pochettino. The team’s “golden generation” posted a record 17 wins in 2021.

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Story summary

The United States lost 4-1 to Belgium in round of 16 of 2026 World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino, hired September 2024, is out of contract after the tournament.
U.S. Soccer said it had pre-World Cup talks with Pochettino and will keep discussions open as he plans to rest and speak with federation soon.
Media link Pochettino to AC Milan or a Premier League return, noting his finish and 2-0 win over Bosnia.

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