As the 2026 World Cup draws near, the more than 70 players who donned the U.S. Men’s National Team jersey under coach Mauricio Pochettino will find March to be a crucial month. The tournament will kick off in June, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Pochettino has yet to finalize the 26-man squad, which will be announced in late May, but the upcoming exhibitions — notably against Belgium and Portugal featuring Cristiano Ronaldo — are anything but trivial.

“The idea is that the World Cup will start in March,” said Pochettino during a recent conference call.

He expressed that despite several key players missing due to injuries last year, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, they are expected to return in March, health permitting. However, the coach clarified that no player’s position is secured and that performance will be key to securing a spot.

The urgency builds as the U.S. will only have four exhibition games before their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12. Pochettino made it clear these matches are vital. “We have four ‘World Cup’ games that need to be treated with seriousness.”

Additionally, the transfer of Alex Freeman to Villarreal was discussed by Pochettino, who emphasized that players must pursue what they consider best for themselves, stating he is optimistic about such moves. Similarly, concerns regarding Ricardo Pepi’s injury recovery were addressed, as he is anticipated to return to play around March, just before an international break.

On another note, Pochettino praised Weston McKennie for his consistent performance with Juventus, showing he is ready to contribute to the national team. “He is playing regularly and is now very consistent,” he remarked.