Ahead of facing Panama in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Nations League, US national team coach Mauricio Pochettino told The Telegraph that he felt "under pressure" from US President Donald Trump, who appears confident that the US team will win the 2026 World Cup.

"I was listening to a conversation between President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino , to whom the president asked if the US can win the World Cup," said the US national team coach. He added: "Infantino said yes and I was disappointed , because he should have said 'ask your coach', Pochettino, because he can certainly give you a better opinion."

"Now - continued the coach of the US national team - I think Trump will put a lot of pressure on us, because we are the team of the host country (together with Canada and Mexico, ed.). And of a nation whose mentality is to always win: Americans, in sports, are not satisfied with just participating, this is their culture. However, for me it could be a positive pressure: at least we will feel the adrenaline that we need. Our President likes to put pressure and we must be ready to take it".

Then a joke about the experience, of football and life, in America: "It's exciting for many reasons, not only for the challenge of the pitch - explained Pochettino -, which is obviously the main one, but also because I'm experiencing a different culture with new people. The USA has always been a mysterious country for me, that's why I listened to their offer and now I'm very excited".

(Online Union)

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