LOS ANGELES — How U.S. Soccer funded Mauricio Pochettino returned to focus after the USMNT opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Folarin Balogun scored twice as the United States delivered a confident attacking performance in Los Angeles. The victory provided an encouraging first tournament result for Pochettino, although one match cannot determine whether the federation’s expensive coaching decision will produce a deep World Cup run.

How U.S. Soccer Funded Mauricio Pochettino

U.S. Soccer appointed Pochettino on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, after the men’s team failed to advance from the group stage of the 2024 Copa América on home soil.

The federation said the appointment was supported “in significant part” by a philanthropic leadership gift from Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin. Scott Goodwin, co-founder and managing partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners also provided support.

ESPN reported that Pochettino’s compensation was approximately $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history.

Paraguay Win Gives the Funding Strategy an Early Boost

Pochettino arrived with experience at Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, but uneven early USMNT results produced criticism and questions about the team’s direction.

The Paraguay victory supplied the clearest positive answer so far. The United States played with structure, confidence and attacking purpose, while Balogun’s two goals gave the team the finishing quality it will need against stronger opponents.

The result does not fully validate the donor-backed appointment. It does, however, demonstrate why U.S. Soccer pursued a high-profile coach before a World Cup on home soil. The larger test will be whether the USMNT can turn a powerful opening performance into sustained progress through the tournament.