MARIETTA, Ga. — Mauricio Pochettino stated on Monday that he is open to returning as U.S. men’s national team head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

“Who knows what is going to happen,” Pochettino told reporters, a day before the USMNT’s friendly against Portugal at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “We are open. We don’t have (a) contract for the future but why not if we are happy and the federation is happy?

“You can never say never. In football, everything can happen. I am very happy. Of course it is tough, it is a massive challenge, it is a bigger challenge than we thought or believed when we came here. But we are a coaching staff that loves a challenge.”

Pochettino insisted he has not had talks with Tottenham or Real Madrid, two clubs that fired their coaches earlier this season, and two clubs with which Pochettino has frequently been linked.

“At the moment, no,” Pochettino said when asked if he’d spoken with either club about taking over after the World Cup. The Athletic reported Monday that the club was pursuing Roberto De Zerbi, and had offered the Italian a long-term contract with a significant financial package that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Premier League.

“Everyone knows that I am committed with the national team here,” Pochettino added. “It’s not a point to talk about the future. At the moment, no one approached. Who knows what is going to happen.”

Pochettino’s contract, signed in the summer of 2024, expires after the 2026 World Cup, which begins in June and ends in July. He was clear on Monday that any talks over a new deal would begin after the World Cup.

At times over the past year, Pochettino has spoken openly about his ambition to return to European club football. He previously coached Tottenham from 2014-2019, after a stint at Southampton in England and before stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Tottenham fired its coach, Thomas Frank, in February. Igor Tudor took over on an interim basis until the end of the season, but departed after just 44 days, and after earning just one point in seven matches.

Asked about Tottenham’s struggles this season, Pochettino reiterated his connection with the club.

“It is impossible to feel nothing wrong about Tottenham, about the club, about the people that work there and about the fans,” he said. “It was one of the best experiences of my life. Of course it’s my wish … and I think they are going to stay up. With coach or without coach.”

He added: “I really trust that it is a club that will stay in the Premier League because they really deserve to be in the Premier League.”

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has been much better under Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over for Xabi Alonso in January.