Pochettino says USMNT players “need to talk on the pitch”, not about World Cup ticket prices

U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes that he and his players should not be focused on FIFA World Cup ticket prices.

Pochettino spoke to reporters on Thursday in his first U.S. Soccer media availability of 2026, less than two months until the USMNT is back in action. The Argentine head coach was asked about winger Tim Weah’s recent comments to French media earlier this month, that this summer’s World Cup ticket prices are “too expensive”.

In an interview earlier this month with Le Dauphine, Weah voiced his disappointment with the rising ticket prices saying; “I am just a bit disappointed by the ticket prices. Lots of real fans will miss matches.”

FIFA are currently charging $8,680 list price per ticket for the tournament, which will run from June 11-July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In addition, the federation is also charging up to $175 for parking spots, which has led to ample criticism from other footballing federations and supporter groups.

Pochettino did not fully support Weah’s comments about the ticket prices, admitting that his players and himself need to focus on only what they control.

“First of all, I think players need to talk on the pitch, playing football, not outside of,” Pochettino said. “It is not [Weah’s] duty to evaluate the price of the ticket. And then also my job, my duty is to prepare the team, the U.S. men’s national team in the best way to perform.

“We are not politicians. We are sport people that only we can talk about our job, and I think if FIFA does something or takes some decision, they know why, and [it] is their responsibility to explain why. But it is not about us to provide our opinion. Our responsibility is to perform, play and perform on the pitch and then the people that is in charge of the federation, maybe he can give his opinion, but I am the head coach of the federation.”

The USMNT’s final window before Pochettino names his World Cup roster will take place in late March with friendlies against Portugal and Belgium.