Pochettino defends not phoning axed US players

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has defended the way he informed players about their inclusion or omission from his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following criticism over his communication approach.

Players who failed to make the final squad were informed through email, while those selected received personalised video messages from Pochettino.

However, the decision sparked debate among football pundits and former players, with ex-United States forward Herculez Gomez criticising Pochettino for not personally calling the players who were left out.

Speaking on ESPN’s Futbol Americas, Gomez referenced former US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who informed him of his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad through a voicemail, describing Pochettino’s method as unacceptable.

However, Pochettino insisted that direct phone calls are not always the best approach for players dealing with the disappointment of missing out on a World Cup.

“When I was a player, when I didn’t make the roster I didn’t want my coach to call me,” Pochettino said.

“The players who didn’t make the roster, they don’t want to hear me say ‘I apologise’. What are you going to say? Am I going to lie?

“I care. Do you know why I care? Because during [the past] two weeks I didn’t sleep.

“And today, still I cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me, because I am thinking of players that are out.

“If I call, it’s about myself. I say, ‘Oh, I call, I am very human about calling and then giving an explanation’.”

The United States, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, will begin their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 13 before facing Australia and Turkey in their remaining group-stage matches.