World Cup 2026: How Mauricio Pochettino has USA fans and team believing they can win

Teams where fans and players are aligned in their beliefs can be particularly dangerous, and it was clear after the win against Australia just how connected the two are.

The team, led by Pochettino, went around the pitch at Seattle Stadium applauding the fans, who belted out a rendition of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads – a song that looks set to become the USA’s unofficial victory song.

The streets around downtown Seattle afterwards were awash with thousands of celebrating supporters, who continued to chant Pochettino’s name.

“He’s our Braveheart,” said one supporter.

“He is the leader who is willing to take us through the fight and the pain until the end.

“He has brought us a really good era. He doesn’t over complicate it and gives us a very straightforward game to watch.”

Another added: “I’ve been a Tottenham fan for the past 16 years and it was our best spell with him in charge.

“The day he took over the USA was a dream come true for me and look at us now, he wants to win it!”

In Los Angeles, where the USA play Turkey in their final group game (Friday, 03:00 BST), supporters were similarly enthused by Pochettino’s impact.

“It feels like even people here who are not big soccer fans are now behind the team, so it is really cool,” said one American Arsenal fan, unconcerned by Pochettino’s previous allegiance to Gunners’ rivals Tottenham.

“I feel everything Pochettino has done is pretty positive. I like him. I think he is on the way out after this and that does hurt, though.”

Another USA supporter welcomed the winning mentality Pochettino has brought, saying: “I think it is good to have a manager like this who comes in without the American politics.

“He comes in and he just wants to win. Why can’t we win it? Why not us?”