'2026 is the main objective' - Mauricio Pochettino keeps focus on World Cup as he assembles USMNT squad for Nations League matches against Jamaica

It took Pochettino less than 45 seconds to mention the 2026 World Cup as he spoke to reporters Sunday. When outlining the roster - which was mostly played safe - Pochettino explained in pretty simple terms, looking to both win now and later.

"We selected 25 players on the roster, tried to find the best balance, thinking not only to perform today, but to be sincere, in 2026, which is the main objective," Pochettino said. "We are not going to have too many camps to see players."

It has been a consistent and understandable theme for Pochettino, who brought up the World Cup three times within the first two minutes. Yes, the USMNT want to win these games - they have claimed three straight CONCACAF Nations League titles - but the primary focus is to ensure that this squad is in the best possible spot when the U.S. hosts the World Cup.

Pochettino remains focused on timelines. Who will be ready to play? When can they play? How often will they get the chance?

More broadly, Pochettino was keen to emphasize that he has put this entire squad on a timeline. Last month's camp was pieced together to reflect and tweak, with the U.S. splitting two international friendlies in October - a 2-0 win over Panama and a 2-0 loss to Mexico.

The U.S. kickoff leg one vs. the Reggae Boyz on Thursday in Kingston. They'll return home to St. Louis for leg two on Monday, Nov. 18. What will follow these Nations League quarterfinals, Pochettino admitted, is a lengthy review to ascertain a clearer picture of the squad.

"The most important thing is to have a review after this camp," he said. "To talk with the federation, with the sporting director... to translate our ideas, about what our view is about the organization, about what we need to improve. We have an idea idea, but we want to be really, really clear."

There was interesting speculation prior to Pochettino's hiring as to how, exactly, he would set up his side. Would he try to implement the kind of high pressing, expansive football that worked so well at Chelsea? Or would he play it safe? The answer, at first, was somewhere in between.

But this camp, Pochettino seems to be moving more toward a club-like setup. Only two natural full backs are in this squad - Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson. And when pressed on it, the manager explained that full backs really don't exist anymore - at least, not in a traditional sense.

"We can see that a center back can play like a full back. I saw yesterday that Tim Ream was playing like a full back," he said, referencing Ream's MLS playoff match for Charlotte FC vs. Orlando City on Saturday. "He's a center back, but was playing like a left full back. I think for us, the balance is perfect."

The manager also highlighted Yunus Musah's recent showings for Milan as a potential sign of promise. He played a right-sided role against Real Madrid as the Italian side won at the Santiago Bernabeu, something Pochettino emphasized.

Pochettino didn't really have much of a choice in his striker selection. Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent are both out with injuries, and Haji Wright's ankle injury Saturday also ruled him out for the camp. It leaves just Ricardo Pepi and Brandon Vazquez to make things happen through the middle, with the ever-present Pulisic leading the charge at forward.

Tim Weah is back on the squad, but will be suspended for the first leg in Jamaica as a part of his red card against Panama in the Group Stage of Copa America 2024. Looking at the striker pool, Pochettino threw his support behind Pepi.

"Pepi is a fantastic player, but it's more about potential," Pochettino said. "Now is a great opportunity for him to trust and show the possibility to play and show his talent. We are going to be very, very, very tough with him to try to make him to learn quick, and realize the thing that need to prove in other areas."

A slightly ominous statement, perhaps, but one that suggested that Pepi will get his chance. Now, it's on him to seize it.

The USMNT, in recent years, has relied on the quality of dual-nationals to contribute. It's something that has captivated the fan base, while numerous managers have admitted that they have courted those who might not otherwise be inclined to wear a USMNT shirt. Pochettino made it clear that he was doing the same - but has no interest in bringing in players who didn't want to play for the badge.

"I don’t want to give names, but we are working on other names to see if they want to become committed with us," he said. "We don’t need to convince, they want to help us… USA is massive. No one can be over this shirt or over this country.”