Berhalter rehired as USMNT coach, will manage team through the 2026 World Cup
He helped the U.S. win a Gold Cup and Nations League trophy in 2021
Gregg Berhalter will return as coach of the U.S. men’s national team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, U.S. Soccer announced on Friday.
The decision, a day after the U.S. downed Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League, comes after Berhalter’s contract had expired in last December and U.S. Soccer was forced to grapple with a series of accusations stemming from the coach’s fraught relationship with striker Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer said in March that an independent probe confirmed Berhalter had assaulted his now-wife Rosalind when they were in college — an accusation brought to light by Reyna’s parents, Claudio and Danielle, after their son had not gotten adequate playing time in Qatar.
The Reyna family confirmed they had gone to U.S. Soccer with information about the decades-old incident involving Berhalter and his wife.
Berhalter, 49, had taken responsibility for the assault and the 40-page report concluded there was “a need to revisit U.S. Soccer’s policies concerning appropriate parental conduct and communications with staff at the national team level” following the conduct by the Reyna family.
The Athletic first reported Thursday that Berhalter would be returning as USMNT coach.
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Berhalter fits the USMNT’s needs as they prepare for the next World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
“When I started this search, my focus was on finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026,” Crocker said. “Gregg has that vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to move this team forward. Appointing the right head coach for a National Team is a crucial decision that reflects U.S. Soccer’s identity and lays the foundation to grow soccer across the country for years to come.”
Berhalter coached the USMNT from 2019 to 2022, winning the Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League in 2021. He has a USMNT record of 37-11-12.
Berhalter, who also helped lead the U.S. to the round of 16 at the last World Cup, said he was “grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer” in the United States.
“The entire group of players and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the field,” he added. “We look forward to continuing our journey together to make our fans and our nation proud.”