POCHETTINO GETS ANOTHER CHANCE TO MAKE USMNT 'EVEN STRONGER'

 CATCHING UP IS HARD TO DO – Part Deux

U.S. Soccer is going to keep MAURICIO POCHETTINO as coach 

of the men’s national team for another four years. Saying he was 

looking forward to making the USMNT “even stronger,” the 56 year 

old Argentinian agreed to a new contract through the 2030 World Cup, 

adding that he wanted to have “a lasting impact on the sport in this 

country.”

That was it. No details. Financial terms unknown … although it would 

be hard to believe he’ll get the $6,040,600 he was paid (with the help 

of billionaire KEN GRIFFIN) to reach the round of 16 in the 2026 

World Cup. (Note: Figure reportedly based on tax filing, which should 

be accurate, shouldn’t it.

Pochettino was hired in 2024, replacing GREG BERKHALTER, and 

while the Americans set a team record for most Cup goals and 

managed to win a game in the knockout round for the first time in 24 

years, a bad loss 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 left some people 

hoping Pochettino would seek another job … which he did but was 

rejected by (reportedly) teams in Spain’s La Liga and the English 

Premier League … where he had considerable success at Tottenham 

and Chelsea previously,

Only one other of the 48 Cup coaches made more than Pochettino. 

That would be CARLO ANCELOTTI, who underachieved with 

Brazil while making a cool $9.57 million-plus … according to Yahoo, 

which also had Pochettino at No. 3 ($5.2 mil) … to England’s

 THOMAS TUCHEL’s $5.8M.

BY THE TIME the next World Cup rolls around, there could/should be 

a new man in charge of FIFA, which – like it or not – runs 

international soccer.

Once considered a lock to return for a third (and final) term as FIFA 

president, GIANNI INFANTINO now appears long gone after 

attempting to sell the World Cup … that, as a bi-product, figured to net 

him a considerable amount of money. Infantino’s plan was met with 

such immediate skepticism – rightly so – that his right- hand-man quit, 

another high-ranking official said he probably would do likewise, and 

many of the 211-member organizations indicated their displeasure as 

well.

Infantino’s scheme called for raising $20 billion “in outside 

investments … by selling shares [in the World Cup] to a private equity 

group …” … and thereby triple the amount of developmental money 

for member associations.” 

The powerful Union of European Futbol Association (UEFA) reacted 

by calling it “both irresponsible and indefenseable … The World Cup 

cannot be treated as an investment product,” the 55-member group 

said in a statement. “No part of it should ever be surrendered to private 

investors. 

“There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are 

prepared to accept but by what they refuse to compromise. The World 

Cup is not for sale.”

While UEFA was at it, the membership, acting unanimously, (a) said it 

would no longer participate in FIFA events as long as the plan was in 

effect; and (b) took a clear and unmistakable shot at Infantino, saying 

(in part), “This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an 

abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football … No one 

has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the 

next generation.”

Infantino announced his proposal on Tuesday (July 28). Fewer than 48 

hours later he withdrew it, saying, “The project has created divisions 

of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the 

interest of the objective set out in the first place.”

Unopposed for FIFA president in 2019 and 2023, he now is expected 

to receive stiff competition in 2027. By then we should have learned 

more about his real objectives … like a bloated salary said to be on a 

par with the $66 million given NFL commissioner ROGER 

GOODALL annually.

By the way … Infantino’s “FIFA Forward Enterprise” included a 

partnership with JOSHUA KUSHNER’s “Thrive Capital,” the 

aforementioned private equity group which would be run by Infantino 

to sell ownership stakes to future World Cups. 

In other words they would be taking money from the highest bidders, 

presumably all on the up and up … unlike what some FIFA officials 

have been accused of over the years, taking big bucks under the table 

for rights to the world-wide championship held every four years.

Kushner, 41, is the billionaire brother of JARED KUSHNER, whose 

father-in-law is PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP … but has always 

been a liberal democrat who did not vote for Trump. His wife, a 

former model, says she never met Trump. His father spent time in 

prison for assorted blue-collar crimes. 

BIG, BIG BUCKS … for the record, the 104-game 2026 World Cup 

distributed a record $ 871 million of which $650M was shared 

(automatically) by the 48 teams.

Team USA got $15 million for reaching the round of 16 … in addition 

to an automatic $15.5 million every team received for qualifying.

Champion Spain was paid $50M, runner-up Argentina $33M.

TURN LEFT TEENAGER … TRISTAN McKEE will make his 

NASCAR debut at Richmond Raceway Aug. 14 in the Craftsman 

Truck Series.

From Kannapolis, N.C., he will drive the No. 77 Spire Motorsports 

Chevrolet Silverado less than two weeks after turning 16 … the 

minimum age for competing on NASCAR’s short tracks and road 

courses. He’s won twice among nine starts in ARCA’s Menards Series.

SAY IT ISN’T SO … TONY ROMO is on the outs at CBS after the 

former Dallas Cowboys’ QB was arrested on suspicion of drunk 

driving. The network suspended Romo “until further notice,” 

unquestionably embarrassed when he was caught on camera during the 

entire ordeal with police in Milwaukee, Wis.

Romo has four years left on a 10-year contract that pays him a 

reported $18 million annually. While he has proved to be … ahh, 

different – and therefore probably has as many pro viewers as con – 

should the network remove Romo from the No. 1 NFL pairing with

 JIM NANTZ, it’s doubtful there will be much, if any, backlash.

Already there has been speculation he could be given a Sunday studio 

assignment … or be placed with the network’s second or third NFL 

broadcast crews … or, be sent on his way … with a parting gift of $72 

million.

Meanwhile, J.J. WATT has replaced Romo, if temporarily, with 

Nantz.

Until next time...