US Soccer brings Gregg Berhalter back as USMNT coach through 2026 World Cup

Gregg Berhalter is returning as coach of the U.S. men’s team.

U.S. Soccer made the announcement Friday, less than six months after Berhalter’s previous contract expired and a day after the USMNT thrashed archrival Mexico 3-0 to reach the Concacaf Nations League final.

“Today is a testament to the work that (Berhalter) put into this team,” Christian Pulisic, who scored twice against El Tri, said after Thursday night's game. “… If that’s not enough evidence, that’s all right. People are going to hate.”

Interim coach B.J. Callaghan will continue to coach the USMNT in Sunday's Nations League final as well as the Concacaf Gold Cup, which begins June 24 and runs through July 16. That means Berhalter's first time back with the team will be the Sept. 4-12 international window.

"I’m grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer in our country," Berhalter said.

Berhalter led the USMNT to the round of 16 at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, and he and U.S. Soccer were in talks for his return for this current cycle. He is 37-11-12 in four years as the national team coach, and led the USMNT to wins in both the Nations League and Gold Cup in 2021, beating Mexico in each final. Under Berhalter, the USMNT is 4-2-2 against its chief rival.

Berhalter is also responsible for building the core of what will be the U.S. squad at the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That includes promising young dual nationals like Yunus Musah and Sergino Dest, who chose to play for the USWNT over other countries because of Berhalther’s vision.

"This isn’t just business as usual and going back to how things have been in the past,” Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer's sporting director, said in the release announcing Berhalter's return. "We have a unique opportunity to evolve the team and improve moving forward."

Berhalter was in discussions with U.S. Soccer after the World Cup about an extension. But his contract was allowed to expire Dec. 31 after the parents of Gio Reyna, unhappy with their son’s playing time, reported to U.S. Soccer and then went public with details of a 30-year-old domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his then-girlfriend, now wife, Rosalind.

U.S. Soccer launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in 1992 when both Berhalters were soccer players at North Carolina. Gregg Berhalter pushed and kicked Rosalind Berhalter in the legs during an argument outside a bar. Gregg Berhalter said he reported the incident to his family and his coach at North Carolina and underwent counseling. The Berhalters later reconciled, and have been married for more than 25 years.

Berhalter was cleared to remain a candidate for the USMNT coaching job after the U.S. Soccer investigation determined he hadn't violated any SafeSport policies or federation hiring requirements. He was offered the job again after Crocker considered several domestic and international candidates, using data analytics and psychological testing.

Berhalter’s return will be welcomed by many of his players, several of whom have publicly endorsed him. Just last week, Tim Weah said in an interview with TUDN that he hoped Berhalter would be the team’s coach again.

“That’s what is our main focal point, it’s that we’re definitely a family. And no one can take that away,” Weah said. “Gregg really helped us form this type of relationship with each other. So, he was a huge, huge, important part of this team. So hopefully, hopefully he comes back.”

How Gio Reyna responds to Berhalter’s return remains to be seen. He is one of the USMNT’s most talented young players – he started Thursday night – and figures to be an integral part of the team in this World Cup cycle. But he was unhappy with his limited role in Qatar, coming on as a substitute, and angry that Berhalter spoke about his poor attitude during a leadership conference after the World Cup.

Berhalter didn’t name Reyna when he talked of almost sending a player home from Qatar, but Reyna and his mother later confirmed Berhalter was talking about him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gregg Berhalter returns as USMNT coach through 2026 World Cup