Mauricio Pochettino, the man tasked with turning the US Men’s National Team into credible World Cup contenders on home soil, has been watching Disney movies for tactical inspiration. Specifically, Miracle, the 2004 film about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team that stunned the Soviet Union in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
The Argentine coach referenced the film’s themes of unity and collective belief over raw individual talent as he prepares his squad for a friendly against Paraguay.
Where blockchain meets the beautiful game
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams from the previous 32. The US is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, marking the country’s first time staging matches since 1994.
Crypto exchange Kraken and blockchain platform Chiliz are among the digital asset companies investing heavily in sponsorship deals tied to the tournament and the USMNT.
