Mauricio Pochettino voices concerns over refereeing ahead of World Cup

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has voiced his growing frustration with officiating standards as the team nears the start of the 2026 World Cup. Following a 2-1 loss to Germany in their final friendly, the manager suggested that his team has been overlooked by referees for the past 18 months.

"For 1 1/2 years, every time we play games, it’s like the referee always forgets we are the United States," Pochettino said. The match turned tense late in the second half when Tim Weah responded to physical challenges with a hard tackle of his own, sparking a heated confrontation between both squads.

This isn't an isolated incident for the USMNT, which has faced increasingly physical play in recent friendlies against Paraguay and Australia. These encounters have often devolved into confrontations, with players like Christian Pulisic suffering injuries from aggressive challenges in previous matches.

Pochettino, a former rugged center back, understands the physical nature of the game but is now adopting a more diplomatic approach to ensure referees notice when his team is being targeted. With the USMNT set to face Paraguay and Australia again in the group stage, the manager is clearly looking to manage expectations and influence officiating before the tournament begins.