World Cup 2026: USA start in style, but can they finally join the best?

Appointed as USA coach 20 months ago, Pochettino was tasked with turning around a team capable of qualifying from the group stage, but almost beyond that.

The tactical change that the United States showed under Argentina was evident against Paraguay as they played a high attacking style that their opponents could not live with.

Pochettino has also been able to name a squad packed with talent – 17 of the 26 in camp will play in Europe’s top 5 leagues.

It also changed the mindset of the players, making them erase the idea that they were underdogs and instead believe that they could be among the elite, that they could not only go far but actually win the World Cup.

“Why not us?” He said earlier this year. “We have to really believe that we can be there. We have to dream.”

The USA will, of course, need to beat stronger teams than Paraguay to win the World Cup, but this performance will certainly give their fans confidence that they can at least match their 2002 quarter-final appearance.

“The United States brought Pochettino to this tournament where he failed to deliver at previous World Cups,” said former Wales defender Ashley Williams.

“They’ve also got players they expect to go far in this competition so the expectations will be high.

“If things click with Pochettino and a strong starting 11, I think the United States can go a long way domestically in this tournament. They look at this team and think they have to be first.”