Pochettino says politics eclipsed USA's World Cup exit

The United States, after reaching the quarter‑finals on home soil, suffered an unexpected defeat that ended their World Cup run. Coach Mauricio Pochettino argued that the loss was not solely due to on‑field mistakes but also stemmed from political meddling, citing former President Donald Trump's involvement in the tournament's affairs.

He warned that such external pressure disrupts player focus and stressed that football must remain independent of political agendas. His remarks have reignited debate over the influence of politics on the beautiful game.