BTN News: In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, soccer legend Bora Milutinovic has shared his thoughts on the future of the U.S. Men’s National Team under their new coach, Mauricio Pochettino. Milutinovic, a celebrated former coach of both the Mexican and U.S. national teams, remains one of the most respected figures in international soccer. Speaking ahead of the Mexico vs. World Legends match in Monterrey, Milutinovic offered both praise and a cautious outlook on Pochettino’s prospects.
The iconic Serbian coach reminisced about the successes he achieved with the U.S. team in the 1990s and weighed in on the challenges Pochettino might face as he prepares Team USA for the 2026 World Cup.
Milutinovic’s Legacy with Team USA
Reflecting on his time as the coach of the U.S. national team 30 years ago, Milutinovic highlighted the unique circumstances that helped his team achieve success during the 1994 World Cup. He noted that his squad was well-prepared, having played a staggering 91 friendly matches in the lead-up to the tournament.
“I had an extraordinary group of players, extremely talented, with a remarkable mindset. We were fortunate to have time for proper preparation, which involved playing those 91 friendlies,” Milutinovic shared, emphasizing that this level of preparation is now almost impossible for modern teams.
While he acknowledged that today’s U.S. players are talented, Milutinovic expressed some uncertainty about how well they will perform in 2026 under Pochettino’s leadership. “I respect the players of today, but I can’t be so sure. I had a unique group back then,” he said.
Pochettino’s Appointment: A Positive Move for U.S. Soccer?
When asked about the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino, an Argentine manager, to lead an anglosphere team like the United States, Milutinovic expressed optimism. “I wish him the best of luck. He’s a capable coach and will be leading a team from a great country. Hopefully, he finds the formula to succeed,” he remarked.
Milutinovic also reflected on his own experience when he took over the U.S. team, pointing out that the landscape of American soccer has changed dramatically since his time. “When I took over, there was no professional league in the U.S. Today, everything has evolved—there’s a league, more infrastructure. Now it’s about working hard and knowing what you want to achieve,” he explained.
The Challenges Pochettino May Face
Though Milutinovic was reluctant to speculate about the potential challenges Pochettino may encounter, he offered a lighthearted response when asked directly: “If Pochettino has problems, just tell him to call Bora!” he joked. However, his overall tone suggested that the journey to success in 2026 will not be easy, especially with the heightened expectations surrounding Team USA.
A Return to Monterrey for a Special Event
Milutinovic is currently in Monterrey to participate in the highly anticipated Mexico vs. World Legends match, part of the celebrations leading up to the 2026 World Cup. He expressed his excitement to return to the city where he launched his coaching career with the Mexican national team and famously led them to the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals.
“This city holds so many memories for me. It’s where we played the ‘quinto partido’ and started the famous Mexican ‘ola’ wave against Argentina in 1984,” Milutinovic recalled fondly.
As he looks forward to the legends match, Milutinovic hopes that Mexico’s national team will continue to grow and reach new heights in future tournaments, including the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion: Optimism for U.S. Soccer’s Future
While Bora Milutinovic remains cautiously optimistic about Team USA’s future under Mauricio Pochettino, his reflections on the past underscore the importance of preparation, hard work, and belief in a team’s potential. With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, all eyes will be on Pochettino to see if he can replicate the success that Milutinovic achieved with the U.S. squad three decades ago.
