U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino plans to integrate emerging talents into the squad for upcoming matches following the summer's World Cup, marking a pivotal moment as he aims for the 2030 World Cup.

Pochettino, who recently extended his contract through the 2030 tournament, is evaluating a pool of around 100 players to finalize a roster of 26 for four friendlies this fall. The selection will include:

• The 26 players from the World Cup squad
• Approximately 40 players he worked with prior to the tournament
• Young prospects eager to secure their place in the senior team.

I think our idea [is] we are going to do a mix [of] experienced players,

The friendlies are seen as a "new start" for the team, with Pochettino expressing excitement about promising players like Cavan Sullivan from the Philadelphia Union, who will join Manchester City next year, and Zavier Gozo, a Crystal Palace debutant.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of communication with dual nationals and mentioned Noahkai Banks, who remains undecided between representing the U.S. or Germany. He collaborates closely with U-23 head coach Steve Cherundolo to optimize player development leading up to the 2028 Olympics.

The upcoming friendlies include matches against Peru on Sept. 26, Chile on Sept. 29, Mexico on Oct. 3, and Canada on Oct. 6. Pochettino recognizes the unique challenges of American soccer but aims to reshape the youth structure and foster talent for future success, including a goal to contend for Olympic gold.

In his new role, Pochettino also focuses on developing a mindset among players that aligns with the demands of national representation, emphasizing professionalism and commitment to improving their game.