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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - Turkey v United States - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, U.S. - June 25, 2026 U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts
The U.S Men’s National Team suffered its first loss of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night, falling to Turkey in their final match of Group D play.
However, the loss changes nothing for the USMNT, which had already clinched first place in the group with wins over Paraguay and Australia to start the tournament.
Despite that fact, and the fact that manager Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to the starting lineup from the match prior, there are still fans complaining about the loss to Turkey.
Pochettino, however, isn’t having it.
Mauricio Pochettino Calls Complaints About USMNT Loss To Turkey ‘Petty’
After the match, Pochettino met with members of the media and reminded everyone that the important part of the tournament starts with the next game, in the knockout round, and that the USMNT had already locked up its spot in that round.
“The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Türkiye is staying,” the Argentinian manager said. “I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won.”
Meanwhile, he was also unhappy about the USMNT facing several critiques after a 3-2 loss where Turkey scored the game-winning goal in the 97th minute.
“It cannot be possible that Turkey celebrates three points, Australia celebrates getting through, Paraguay celebrates getting through… for you to not say congratulations for winning the group, it’s a little bit sad,” Pochettino said via The Athletic.
Pochettino made a point to address fans who may not be taking the long view of the tournament.
“Making history is winning the World Cup,” he said. “It’s not winning three matches only within the World Cup. I don’t really understand. It’s a little bit petty if you will — you’re thinking a little too small. You’re telling me you could make history — what does it mean to win three matches if you lose the next one?”
You may not like it, but he’s correct. Would it be great for the U.S. to go 8-0-0 on the way to winning the World Cup? Of course. But ultimately, it’s irrelevant. Argentina lost its first game of the 2022 tournament before going on to win the whole thing, and that was with a full first team!
Pochettino is spot on here. It’s time to think big picture. The USMNT got through the match with Turkey with everyone who truly matters healthy and with nobody suspended for the next match.
Now it’s on to Bosnia and the round of 32, and hopefully beyond.