The U.S. men’s national team is enduring one of its darkest spells in recent history. Hired with the ambition of transforming the squad into genuine contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino has instead overseen a steep decline in form and reputation.
Since taking charge, the USMNT have lost seven of their 17 matches, including seven of their last eight against top-30 opposition. The latest setback in a 2–0 defeat to South Korea pushed the U.S. down to 49th in the ELO World Rankings, their lowest mark since 1995.
The ELO system, considered by many to be a more accurate reflection of current form than FIFA’s official rankings, has charted the team’s rapid fall.
For perspective, the U.S. peaked as high as 18th after winning the 2023 Concacaf Nations League and once reached 9th in 2009 after famously beating Spain in the Confederations Cup. Under former coach Gregg Berhalter, the team consistently hovered around the top 15.
Now, the U.S. sits fifth among Concacaf nations in ELO rating, trailing Mexico (16th), Canada (29th), Panama (35th), and Costa Rica (48th). In contrast, the FIFA Rankings still list the USMNT at 15th, though they are projected to slip after the latest loss.
For Pochettino, the focus remains on the bigger picture. “We need to start to win when the World Cup starts,” he insisted, citing Argentina’s 2002 disappointment as a cautionary tale of peaking too early.
The immediate test won’t get easier. The USMNT faces Japan (13th in ELO) on Tuesday in Columbus, desperate to regain momentum before time runs out.
