Pochettino Labels VAR 'Annoying' as 2026 World Cup Preparations Continue

"It's annoying me a little bit, the VAR." Those words from Mauricio Pochettino, the coach charged with guiding the United States through a home World Cup in 2026, reveal his growing frustration with the technology that now influences matches more than most tactical adjustments.

It's a frank admission. And it tells us plenty.

Pochettino isn't simply complaining about delayed calls and broken rhythm — though those issues clearly bother him. His concerns run much deeper. He believes VAR is fundamentally altering how football is taught, experienced, and understood. "It's changing the way that we also educate our young kids in that game," he explained. This isn't a casual gripe. This represents a coaching philosophy at odds with the sport's governing authorities.

Pochettino's Broader Concerns About Football's Direction

The VAR criticism connects to a larger trend Pochettino observes, especially within the American sports landscape where he now works. The Argentine manager drew a clear distinction between football and the entertainment-focused sporting culture prevalent in the United States.

"Football is not an entertainment game. It's a competitive game, and that is what we are forcing it to change into."

He's right that the pressure is real. American football, basketball, and hockey are carefully crafted spectacles — built-in stoppages, instant replays, and broadcast elements woven into their DNA. Football's traditional appeal has been the opposite: 90 minutes of continuous action, minimal interference, and tension created through uninterrupted flow. VAR undermines precisely that quality.

What elevates this beyond mere philosophical complaint is the timing. The 2026 World Cup will feature VAR throughout every match, with semi-automated offside technology expected to accelerate certain decisions. Pochettino can voice his disapproval, but he must still prepare his squad to function within the system, leverage it strategically, and avoid being hurt by controversial calls.

Implications for USMNT's World Cup Strategy

Pochettino arrived with impressive credentials — a Champions League final appearance with Tottenham Hotspur and trophies won at Paris Saint-Germain. He understands elite-level football. However, managing a team through a home tournament — where every VAR decision against the Americans will be magnified by packed stadiums and intense media scrutiny — presents unique challenges.

Any nation advancing deep into 2026 will almost certainly experience at least one match altered by video review. How Pochettino prepares his players to handle those moments, both psychologically and tactically, could prove as important as his team selection. His public skepticism shows authenticity. Whether it becomes a problematic distraction remains to be seen.

"We are now forcing that unbelievable sport to become an entertainment game, and that is what I hate." Powerful language. He's coaching in America, preparing for a World Cup that the international broadcasting industry will package as precisely that kind of spectacle.