Pochettino Labels VAR 'Annoying' as 2026 World Cup Looms

Mauricio Pochettino isn't holding back his feelings about video assistant referee technology. The United States men's national team manager openly expressed his frustration with VAR during an appearance on The Overlap, stating bluntly: "It's annoying me a little bit, the VAR."

For someone preparing to guide the Americans through a World Cup on home soil in 2026, this admission carries significant weight. Pochettino's concerns extend beyond mere technical frustrations with delayed decisions and interrupted game flow.

The Argentine tactician believes VAR is fundamentally altering football's core identity. "It's changing the way that we also educate our young kids in that game," Pochettino explained. This isn't simply complaining about technology — it reflects a deeper philosophical concern about how football's governing bodies are reshaping the sport he's dedicated his career to.

Football Versus Entertainment: Pochettino's Cultural Clash

Pochettino's VAR critique connects to broader concerns about football's direction, especially relevant given his current role in the United States. He drew a clear distinction between authentic football and the entertainment-driven approach common in North American sports.

"Football is not an entertainment game. It's a competitive game, and that is what we are forcing it to change into," the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss stated firmly.

His observation holds merit. Sports like American football, basketball, and hockey are designed as entertainment packages — complete with strategic stoppages, instant replays, and carefully crafted production elements. Traditional football's attraction has always been different: 90 minutes of continuous action with minimal interruption, where tension builds through unbroken play. VAR undermines precisely that quality.

This criticism carries extra significance considering the context. The 2026 World Cup will feature VAR throughout the tournament, with semi-automated offside detection technology anticipated to accelerate certain decisions. Regardless of Pochettino's personal feelings, he must prepare his squad to function effectively within this framework, leverage it strategically, and avoid being caught out by controversial calls.

Implications for Team USA's World Cup Strategy

Pochettino brings impressive credentials to his position — including guiding Tottenham Hotspur to a UEFA Champions League final and capturing trophies with PSG. He understands elite-level football pressure. However, managing a national team through a home World Cup presents unique challenges, particularly when every VAR decision involving the United States will be scrutinized by packed stadiums and comprehensive media coverage.

Any nation making a deep run in 2026 will almost certainly experience at least one match outcome influenced by video review. How Pochettino prepares his players to handle these moments — both psychologically and tactically — could prove as crucial as his tactical setup. His public skepticism demonstrates refreshing honesty, though whether it becomes a distraction remains to be seen.

"We are now forcing that unbelievable sport to become an entertainment game, and that is what I hate," Pochettino declared. Those are powerful words from someone coaching in America while preparing for a World Cup that global broadcasters will package as exactly that kind of spectacle.

As the 2026 tournament approaches, Pochettino faces the challenge of reconciling his football philosophy with the technological realities of modern international competition.