The time for talking is over for Pochettino as the USA bid to live up to the hype

With America one of three host nations alongside Mexico and Canada, the spotlight is firmly on Pochettino’s men as they bid to navigate their way through Group D, which also features Australia and Turkiye.

And the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss has no intention of giving his players a big motivational pre-match speech after weeks of hype and hoopla.

In an interview with FIFA, he said: “I have already spoken to them. I have already talked... too much. I said [to the players] don't expect an unbelievable speech on Friday.

“I think now is the moment that they need to prepare in an emotional and mental way. And I think everyone knows how to be ready.

"They don't need an external motivation or an inspirational speech. You can give the best motivational speech but if they are not ready it's impossible to perform.

"The most important thing is to believe in yourself, to have that thought of believing that you can do it well. You have to go step by step.

“The most important thing is not to see the flag before you get there... that's why it's important to be prepared. Not only how you start, but how you continue and how you finish."

Having defeated Paraguay 2-1 in a fiery friendly last November, the USA are favourites going into the clash at the Los Angeles Stadium.

But Pochettino, 54, has warned fans not to expect an easy victory. He added: "I know very well the mentality [of Paraguay] — the aggressivity, the [competitiveness].

“My expectation is it’s going to be a very tough game. It's going to be tough because Paraguay not only are competitive and aggressive [but] they have good quality [and] a great coach in Gustavo Alfaro, who is doing a great job.

“I respect and admire him a lot. It's going to be very, very difficult."

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