The United States men’s national soccer team’s search for a permanent head coach has reached its end, following the news of Gregg Berhalter’s imminent return to the post he’s commanded since 2018.
Berhalter, whose contract expired following the 2022 World Cup, will return as coach for the 2026 World Cup cycle, the USMNT officially announced Friday.
News that Berhalter was in talks with the U.S. Soccer Federation to finalize his return as coach was reported by The Athletic on Thursday.
Gregg Berhalter has been chosen to lead the #USMNT to the 2026 FIFA World Cup » https://t.co/ObcP1tCbvH pic.twitter.com/c85nwVS9to
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 16, 2023
Thursday’s report broke just as reigning champion USMNT and interim coach B.J. Callaghan kicked off a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal matchup against Mexico. Callaghan, who will lead the team through the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and Gold Cup, was promoted in the wake of interim coach Anthony Hudson’s departure in May. The USMNT won the match 3–0.
The re-hiring of Berhalter, a candidate throughout the process, marks a shocking follow-up to his saga with the USMNT, which began following the team’s showing in Qatar.
The 49-year-old manager became entangled in a public feud with Gio Reyna and his family after Berhalter criticized the star winger’s behavior during the World Cup. Berhalter later became the subject of a U.S. Soccer probe stemming from accusations made by Reyna’s parents regarding a 1992 domestic violence incident he had with his wife prior to their marriage.
Following a thorough investigation, Berhalter was cleared by U.S. Soccer and kept in consideration for a contract renewal.
With Berhalter now back in the fold, it’ll be interesting to see how soon the veteran coach returns to the sidelines. During his first three years, Berhalter led the USMNT to the 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup trophies and a World Cup berth en route to a 37-11-12 record—the highest win percentage of any USMNT coach.
