Mauricio Pochettino rejects US favoritism at 2026 World Cup

Ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup Round of 32 match where the United States will face Bosnia, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has issued a statement aimed at reducing the pressure on his squad. The Argentine manager firmly rejected the notion that the hosts are the clear favorites to win the tournament.

"I don't think we are favorites. In recent days, we have seen how difficult it has been for everyone. Everyone said Germany was the favorite against Paraguay, and then you saw how Brazil played hard against Japan. I think it is better to talk about favorites later, because in this World Cup there are many factors that can influence performance," — Mauricio Pochettino.

Following a strong group stage performance, including victories over Paraguay and Australia, expectations are high for the US team. However, Pochettino insists that every knockout game must be treated as a final, highlighting the organization and aggressive style of their Bosnian opponents.

Regarding team news, the coach confirmed that defender Auston Trusty has returned to training and is likely to be in the squad. Meanwhile, the medical staff is still working to assess the availability of Cristian Roldan and Marc McKenzie, with final decisions expected closer to kick-off.