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Pochettino leads fans in chants ahead of World Cup opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 8:45 PM

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pochettino leads fans in chants ahead of World Cup opener

Summary

Coach Mauricio Pochettino engaged fans at a public training session in Irvine, California, just two days before the United States' first World Cup match. Leading 5,500 supporters in "USA! USA!" chants, Pochettino emphasized the importance of fan energy for motivating the players. Efforts to connect with American audiences included a fashion photoshoot featuring midfielder Malik Tillman. The U.S. team, drawn into a competitive Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, aims to leverage home support, which has not consistently favored them in past tournaments.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Pochettino led 5,500 fans in chants during training session.
•U.S. plays its first World Cup match in two days.
•Team seeks to draw energy from home supporters.
•Group D includes Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey.
•Midfielder Malik Tillman featured in a fashion shoot.

Latest Updates

8:45 PMYahoo Sports — Sesame Street and 'USA' chants: coach Pochettino rallies World Cup fans

What they're saying

"
Two days before the United States' first World Cup game, coach Mauricio Pochettino only took questions from one intrepid reporter -- and it was Sesame Street's Grover.Earlier this week, Argentinian coach Pochettino kicked off a public training session by grabbing the microphone and leading 5,500 fans in "USA!
— Yahoo Sports

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