United States manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has named Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni as the best coach at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Pochettino spoke to the media ahead of the USA’s match against Australia on Friday.

The Argentine also insisted that he knows Scaloni’s coaching staff members very well.

“Many of Argentina’s players are world champions from Qatar. The coach [Lionel Scaloni] is the best one at this World Cup, and I know his staff very well, and the fans are amazing,” Pochettino said.

“And then the 'cherry' is Messi. It's a difficult combination to play against.”

The USA and Argentina won their first matches at the World Cup against Paraguay and Algeria, respectively.

If Pochettino’s side tops Group D and Argentina win their Group, the two teams can only meet in the semi-final or the final.

World Cup 2026: USA coach, Pochettino names best coach at tournament