Mauricio Pochettino has framed a clear objective for the U.S. men’s national team with the 2026 World Cup approaching in less than four months. When asked about the team’s ambitions he posed a simple question: “Why not win it all?”

On the mindset behind that statement, Pochettino was direct. “To me it wouldn’t … because we want to win [the World Cup], we are winners” Pochettino said. “It’s complicated for every team to win the World Cup, it won’t be easy. It’s also a different experience with different circumstances, we’ll see, surprises can always happen.

“It’s true that nobody in the world puts the USMNT among the favorites to win the World Cup, I’m conscious of that. But internally, when we took on the challenge of going to the World Cup, we considered: ‘Why not? Why not win it? Why not make it to the final stages of the World Cup?’

“We know we have a lot of work to do and that we’ve been working now for a year and a half to achieve being at the level that a World Cup—the most important event—will demand.”

Pochettino also addressed the expanding profile of the sport in the United States, citing the influence of high-profile players. He singled out the role of Lionel Messi in helping to accelerate soccer’s growth and described the co-hosted tournament as a significant opportunity. “The World Cup is a massive motivation for everyone,” Pochettino said. “Internally [as a staff] we always felt that pressure to compete and to win. We’re trying to transfer that culture and philosophy to the organization [U.S. Soccer], of course, but also to the players, about the way we must prepare to compete.

“The pressure is there because we are one of the World Cup organizing nations and also because the U.S. always wants to be first, in everything it wants to be first and that idea is there.

“It’s true that the sport [soccer] isn’t the first like in other countries, but I think it’s up to us to handle it in the best way and transform that pressure into energy, to then compete in the best way we can.”

With his focus on a historic summer, Pochettino was also asked about links to Tottenham Hotspur after reports tied him to the job in the aftermath of Thomas Frank’s dismissal. “They’re rumors,” Pochettino said, denying any contact. “The always associate me with Tottenham, like they did at a certain time with Espanyol or other clubs. In the end, especially because I have a past with these teams, when things aren’t going well, people fall back on emotions.

The right back has been recast in recent seasons, becoming one of football’s most adaptable and influential positions. This piece profiles 25 players who illustrate how the role now blends defensive responsibility, attacking invention and positional versatility.

Noussair Mazraoui provided defensive dependability and useful versatility for Manchester United during difficult spells under Ruben Amorim. João Cancelo combined extraordinary ball skills and unpredictability in possession with clear defensive limitations; his career has included spells at Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and an unexpected return to Barcelona in January.

Nahuel Molina offers steady attacking output for Argentina and Atlético Madrid, bringing World Cup and Copa América experience to his club role. Diogo Dalot is defined by effort and tireless running for Manchester United since 2018, capable of being a disruptive presence when at his best.

Ben White has repaid Arsenal’s investment by offering flexibility at right back and centre back and improving those around him. Nordi Mukiele has quickly adapted at Sunderland after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, combining defensive solidity, adventurous possession play and long throws.

Ola Aina rebuilt his career in Italy before returning to England with Nottingham Forest, where he balances attack and defence for the Tricky Trees. At Borussia Dortmund, the Norway international on set pieces said, “It’s not all that difficult,” reflecting a simple but effective approach to chance creation; across the first 20 games of the 2025–26 Bundesliga campaign he produced 11 assists.

Conor Bradley rose through a loan at Bolton to Liverpool, now replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold but needing to manage injuries. Pedro Porro offers exceptional distribution for Tottenham Hotspur while remaining inconsistent defensively; Thomas Frank rated him above every other Spurs player he worked with according to The Times.

Tino Livramento returned from a career-threatening knee injury to justify Newcastle’s £32 million signing with pace and adaptability. Zeki Çelik has shifted between centre back and wingback at Roma under different managers, while Konrad Laimer transitioned from midfield to right back at Bayern Munich and helped the club win the Bundesliga in 2024–25.

Daniel Muñoz has become a key wingback for Crystal Palace and helped them win the FA Cup in 2024–25. Dani Carvajal remains one of the most decorated defenders, though his 2024–25 season was curtailed by an ACL tear. Marcos Llorente and Matheus Nunes show how midfield traits can flourish at right back; Guardiola said in November 2025 that “he can become one of the best [right backs],” when discussing Nunes.

Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Denzel Dumfries, Jules Kounde, Jurriën Timber and Trent Alexander-Arnold each demonstrate different blends of attacking threat, adaptability and defensive trade-offs. After a strong debut season in Spain, one Spanish daily declared: “David Beckham Returned to the Bernabéu.” These profiles underline how the modern right back now shapes games as much with passing and movement as with tackles and marking.

Fulham’s proposed signing of Ricardo Pepi has been called off, leaving the United States men’s national team forward to finish the 2025–26 season with PSV. The 23-year-old Texan has scored 11 goals in 22 matches across all competitions so far this campaign.

Pepi found the net in five consecutive Eredivisie appearances between the end of November and early January. He has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a broken arm. The injury meant he would have joined Fulham injured and been unable to play until some time in March.

If Pepi’s recovery goes as expected, he should be fit in time for the USMNT’s late-March friendlies at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Belgium and Portugal. The FC Dallas youth alum will have roughly two months to build match fitness for those fixtures and for subsequent World Cup warm-ups on May 31 and June 6 against Senegal and Germany respectively, before the Group D opener on June 12 versus Paraguay.

Domestically, Pepi remains part of a PSV squad chasing a third successive Dutch league title. PSV lead nearest competitor Feyenoord by 17 points with 13 games to play, giving him an extended run of high-level matches to regain form.

Fulham’s interest this month was prompted by Pepi’s performances in what is described as a title-winning season for PSV. As long as he returns to a similar level once his arm is healed, there is no reason why the Cottagers or other suitors would not consider a move for him in the summer.

For now, Pepi will complete the season in the Netherlands, focus on his recovery and work to restore the form that attracted Premier League interest this window.