U.S. seeks pressure from the Gold Cup final for the 2026 World Cup

Pochettino Seeks the Pressure of the Gold Cup Final to Prepare for the 2026 World Cup

The United States national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has stated that his team needs the “pressure” and “stress” of the Gold Cup final against Mexico to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. As a co-host of the competition, along with Mexico and Canada, the United States does not need to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which means that, after Sunday’s match, it will not have official matches before the start of next summer.

I think this will perhaps be the last match we play under pressure and playing under pressure is what we need, what the team needs, because we have already qualified for the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino

In what is expected to be a predominantly Mexican crowd at NRG Stadium, Pochettino has accepted the challenge of trying to win the eighth Gold Cup title for the USMNT. Sunday’s match will also be the eighth in a Gold Cup final between the rival nations, with Mexico seeking their tenth title, a record.

Pochettino pointed out that reaching this point was the goal of the summer, with an alternative squad that missed several key players. During the last team training session on Saturday before the match, Pochettino gathered his players and staff to convey a message to the group assembled in Houston.

He said something about his dreams last night and about his dream for tomorrow.

Malik Tillman

Midfielder Malik Tillman commented on what Pochettino shared. Javier Aguirre, from Mexico, is in his third period in charge and already won the Gold Cup in 2009. Pochettino, for his part, is looking for his first trophy with the USMNT.