Mauricio Pochettino took a firm and direct stance with the aim of distancing the team from political and administrative debates linked to World Cup ticket prices. The head coach of the United States national team once again found himself in the spotlight after publicly commenting on the remarks of Tim Weah, who had weeks earlier criticized the high cost of tickets for the upcoming World Cup. Pochettino was blunt when addressing the issue, emphasizing that the primary function of the players is to perform on the field. 'We are not politicians, we are people of sport and we can only talk about our work,' he expressed, a phrase that quickly went viral and was interpreted as a signal both within the squad and to the outside world, in a context where the World Cup is starting to spark debates that go beyond strictly sporting matters. Finally, the coach indirectly referred to FIFA, the body that has been singled out for criticism regarding ticket prices. 'My job and my duty is to prepare the team, the United States national team, in the best possible way for their performance,' he explained, reinforcing the idea that his management is exclusively focused on the football and competitive aspects. Far from shying away from the topic, Pochettino also sent an institutional message by clearly distinguishing sport from politics. While the debate over the World Cup's costs remains open, the coach made it clear that his priority is on the pitch, not in the boardrooms. 'First of all, I believe the player has to speak on the pitch playing football, not outside,' the coach stated, seeking to tone down a discussion that had gained media traction.
