Balogun Says No USMNT Player Has a Guaranteed World Cup Place Under Pochettino

A competitive message ahead of the World Cup

Folarin Balogun believes Mauricio Pochettino has established a clear standard within the U.S. men’s national team: no one should feel comfortable about selection. The Monaco striker says the head coach and his staff have created an atmosphere where places are earned through performance, not reputation, and that this approach is shaping the mindset of the player pool as the World Cup draws closer.

Balogun’s comments come as he returns to full fitness after injury issues that kept him sidelined for much of 2025. Since regaining form in the fall, he has been scoring for both club and country, making his recent production feel even more significant in a squad environment where competition is emphasized.

Pochettino’s approach: the door “wide open”

Throughout much of 2025—his first full year in charge—Pochettino repeatedly stressed that opportunities remained available for a wide range of players to compete for World Cup spots. That message, according to Balogun, has been understood across the squad.

The coach’s stance was reinforced after the United States closed 2025 with a thrashing of Uruguay. In the aftermath, Pochettino pushed back on the idea that the team has fixed “regulars” in the player pool, challenging the framing of certain places as effectively locked in.

Balogun noted that the striker position is often influenced by form, but he also described a broader cultural effect: the pressure to perform is felt across the entire group in the final months before the World Cup.

Balogun: “Nobody feels like their place is guaranteed”

In remarks he shared with FIFA, Balogun credited Pochettino and his staff for setting the tone. “They have created an atmosphere where nobody feels like their place is guaranteed,” he said, adding that this is especially important for a country with a large pool of players.

Balogun also reflected on how selection dynamics can influence confidence for players who have not been called up regularly. He suggested it can be easy for some to assume they will not be chosen—particularly if they play domestically—based on what they have seen previously.

However, Balogun said Pochettino has brought in a “completely new philosophy,” one that can include selecting players from Major League Soccer if the coach believes they are playing well. In Balogun’s view, that is a “wake-up call” for everyone, creating a natural reaction in the group while also blending with Pochettino’s tactical emphasis.

Club form: goals and minutes for Monaco

Balogun has been a regular presence in Monaco’s XI for much of the season, contributing in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. In league play, he has four goals and two assists in 848 minutes. In Europe, he has scored in each of his last three Champions League appearances for the club.

Assessing his own performance, Balogun said he is “content” but still aiming to be more decisive. He pointed to scoring in three straight games and noted that this is his first year starting consistently in the Champions League. While satisfied with contributing important goals that help Monaco win and potentially progress, he emphasized that he wants “to strive for more.”

Monaco’s schedule: domestic challenges and a major European test

Monaco’s season has been described as up-and-down, with the club sitting ninth in Ligue 1 following a loss to Lyon. Their upcoming calendar includes a French Cup match against US Orleans on Saturday, followed by a league fixture against Lorient on Jan. 16.

After that, attention turns back to the Champions League, where Monaco will travel to face Real Madrid on January 20. For Balogun, it represents another opportunity to build on his recent run of European scoring while continuing to establish his role within the team.

USMNT outlook: final friendlies before roster selection

On the international side, the USMNT will return in March for their final two friendlies before Pochettino selects his World Cup roster. Those matches are scheduled against Portugal and Belgium in Atlanta.

With those fixtures approaching, Balogun’s central point remains the same: the environment is competitive, and selection is not assumed. In a player pool where places are contested and performances are scrutinized, his recent run of goals for club and country stands out as timely—yet, by his own description, still part of a push for more.

Key takeaways

• Balogun says Pochettino has created a USMNT culture where no player feels guaranteed a World Cup spot.
• Pochettino has emphasized an open competition for places and pushed back on the idea of fixed “regulars.”
• Balogun has four Ligue 1 goals and two assists in 848 minutes, plus goals in three straight Champions League appearances.
• The USMNT will play Portugal and Belgium in March in their final friendlies before roster selection.