"Why not us?" Those three words, pinned to the wall of Mauricio Pochettino's makeshift office inside the USA's team hotel, have taken on a life of their own at this FIFA World Cup 2026.

When Pochettino declared in March that the United States could lift the World Cup trophy, the claim was met with widespread scepticism. After all, the USA have reached the knockout rounds nine times in the past ten World Cups, yet progressed beyond the last 16 just once — a quarter-final run in 2002. Their greatest result, a semi-final berth at the inaugural 1930 World Cup, remains a distant memory.

That context makes what Pochettino has built all the more remarkable. The USA have swept through their first two Group D matches — a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay followed by a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle — playing an attacking, high-energy brand of football that has energised an entire nation. Football fans and casual observers alike are starting to echo the words on that office wall.

A new identity under Pochettino

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has blended exciting young talent with established performers from Europe's top leagues, discarding the underdog mentality that once defined American football culture. Alongside "why not us?" his office walls also carry the phrases "believe, work, compete" and "now is our time!" — and those messages have clearly landed with his squad.

"I think he brings that South American spirit that we've been missing," forward Tim Weah said. "We've always been the good guys, so now it's kind of nice being on the other end and being the aggressor a bit. It's fun. Coach Poch is an amazing coach."

After the win against Australia at Seattle Stadium, Pochettino and his players did a full lap of the pitch, applauding supporters who responded with a rousing rendition of John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads. Thousands more filled the streets of downtown Seattle chanting the Argentine's name.

Fans fully behind their coach

"He's our Braveheart," one supporter declared. "He is the leader who is willing to take us through the fight and the pain until the end. He doesn't over-complicate it and gives us a very straightforward game to watch."

A self-confessed Tottenham Hotspur supporter of 16 years put it simply: "The day he took over the USA was a dream come true for me and look at us now — he wants to win it!"

In Los Angeles, where the USA face Turkey in their final Group D match on Friday, the enthusiasm was equally high. "It feels like even people here who are not big soccer fans are now behind the team," said one supporter. "Why can't we win it? Why not us?"

Could Pochettino stay beyond the World Cup?

Pochettino's contract expires at the end of this tournament, and his departure for club management in Europe had been widely anticipated. Yet the extraordinary connection he has forged with American fans may be shifting that calculation.

"Now we're focused on the World Cup," he told reporters. "Then, if we want to stay, we have months to talk — or days or weeks. Because it's four years until the next World Cup."

He added: "For me, that is the most important legacy — the connection between the national team and the fans. Of course, we want to win. But that is the legacy that we need. Why not be a part of it?"

Pochettino even drew a striking comparison after the Australia victory: "Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina." From a proud Argentine, that is no small statement.