They lined up around the block and braved the blistering heat – decked out in American flags, American shirts, even American turbans. One by one, fans climbed the escalators towards the roof of Pier 17, a swanky event space in the shadow of Brooklyn Bridge.
There, on Tuesday afternoon, US Soccer hosted a party to reveal the 26 players selected by Mauricio Pochettino for this summer’s World Cup. By then, it was old news – the squad had been leaked over the weekend.
But that didn’t derail things. Organizers still brought in a DJ and sold commemorative merchandise. Shortly before 4pm, after all 26 players had walked on stage, everyone was serenaded by Atlanta rapper, Gunna.
It was quite the show. Quite the celebration to kick off a summer that could transform soccer on these shores. ‘That is America’ midfielder Tyler Adams said. ‘I’d expect nothing less.’
Someone ought to have told Pochettino, then. Because a few minutes after his roster was confirmed, the USMNT manager held a press conference. And very soon the mood turned rather fiery.
His decisions were always going to upset some supporters; the omission of midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann proved particularly controversial. But it was also how Pochettino left them out: by email. That didn’t go down with many fans and some former players. One branded it ‘diabolical’ not to call those left broken-hearted. ‘Face your players and give them the respect they deserve,’ ex-USMNT forward Herculez Gomez said.
Mauricio Pochettino hit back at criticism over his selection policy ahead of the 2026 World Cup
His 26-man USMNT roster was unveiled at an event in New York City on Tuesday afternoon
Midfielder Diego Luna (right) was among those controversially left out by Pochettino (left)
Pochettino had a few days to work out how he would justify his approach. Before long, however, he was on a rant that lasted nearly four minutes and careered from his own World Cup heartbreak to his sacking at Tottenham Hotspur. ‘It’s bulls***!’ Pochettino said.
The spark? A question about his communication style and whether any of those left out had reached out to discuss the decision. The short answer? Yes, they were told by email. And, no, Pochettino didn’t see the need to have any follow-up conversations.
The long answer is too long to publish in full. But here’s a flavor. ‘The most important event is to be in any single roster – when you play a non-official game, when you play Copa America, when you play Nations League, when you play the World Cup. The way that we communicate is not changing,’ Pochettino began.
‘The players respect us. We work in an environment that is very respectful. Respect is one of our principles. When the players are in camp with us, there is full respect. But I was a player. When I didn’t make the roster, I didn’t want that the coach of the national team to call me.
‘”Oh, which is the reason that I am not in the roster?” What are you going to say? Are you going to lie? You are not in the roster because I believe that another teammate is today, in that period, the better option.’
Pochettino continued: ‘We were [with] 55 players in the provisional roster. I need to call now the rest of the players?… that is not the way. And come on: How I grow up in my country – football is about doing everything to try to be in the roster.’
Pochettino explained how he had missed out on the Argentina squad for both the 1994 and 1998 World Cups before finally making the cut in 2002. When someone else was called to ask a question, the former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach interjected. He was not done.
Pochettino has faced criticism after players found out by email that they had not been selected
Fans of the USA national team gathered for the announcement at Pier 17 in Manhattan
‘That doesn’t mean that we don’t care about [them]. Because we care a lot, we don’t want to say nothing to confuse the player.’ He then brought up his sacking from Tottenham in 2019.
‘Daniel [Levy] the president [chairman] said: “I want to talk with you…” What do you want to talk about [with] me? If you sack me. You talk before to sack me. Not after, when you made the decision. I have nothing to say. I don’t want to hear nothing.
‘I understand the players. They didn’t make the roster, they don’t want to hear me to say: “Oh, I apologize. Oh, whatever.” I care, you know why I care? Because [for] three, two weeks I didn’t sleep. And today still I cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me, because I am thinking players that are out. That is about to care.’
Pochettino finished his rant with a frank admission: ‘If I call, it’s about myself. I [could] say: “Oh, I call, I am very human, I want to call and learn, give an explanation.” Come on, that is bulls***!’
He hasn’t slept much recently, in fairness. Three or four hours a night, apparently, as he weighed up his decisions. It was a ‘painful’ process, Pochettino said. One where ‘it’s impossible to be fair with everyone.’
Pochettino trimmed his 55-man provisional squad to 26 late last week. Those who made the cut were added to a group chat and greeted with a congratulatory video from their coach. The rest discovered their fate when an email landed in their inbox. They didn’t learn anymore on Tuesday.
Pochettino immediately shut down questions about those left out, branding it ‘very disrespectful’ to his 26. They include Tim Ream, who has been captain for much of Pochettino’s tenure.
A few minutes after the Argentine’s rant, the Daily Mail asked Ream what made Pochettino different from other coaches he has worked with.
Christian Pulisic will spearhead America’s pursuit of World Cup glory on home soil this summer
‘He knows when to press buttons,’ the defender said. ‘And he knows how to connect everybody – he puts us into situations where we’re able to feel very, very close and connected. On and off the field.’
Ream explained: ‘Being able to man-manage and understand when it’s time to push and work, and when it’s time to bring guys together and bring them closer is a really, really incredible tool in his armory.’
So maybe it was all part of Pochettino’s plan to unite his roster. Later on Tuesday afternoon, midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie praised the coach for changing the culture around the USMNT since taking over in September 2024.
McKennie discussed how Pochettino had brought a ‘South American mentality’ to this side. ‘He loves to be feisty,’ the midfielder said. That much was clear on Tuesday.
But the real test of Pochettino’s methods will begin on June 12, when the USA faces Paraguay. Only then can the talking stop and these 26 players attempt to prove him right.
