Alexi Lalas previews 2026 FIFA World Cup, ‘Summer of ’94’ movie
American soccer legend Alexi Lalas joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Lalas highlights the event’s cultural significance and reflects on the 1994 U.S. World Cup. Fox Sports announces a $250,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, matched by Fox Corporation, to grow grassroots soccer.
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Alexi Lalas’ first FIFA World Cup was in 1994, which was also the last time soccer’s biggest tournament was played in the United States.
So 32 years later, he’s the right person to talk to about what the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will be going through on June 12 when they begin their World Cup program against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
However, Lalas did not mince his words when discussing his expectations for the USMNT during Fox Sports’ FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Day in New York City.
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Alexis Lalas attends the official announcement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Washington, DC on December 6, 2025. (Hector Vivas/FIFA/Getty Images)
“Cry me a river when it comes to pressure. A bunch of whiners. If they’re whining about the pressure of playing in a World Cup, they’ve already lost,” he told the media in attendance.
If you listen to Lalas’ analysis on any given matchday, words like that shouldn’t surprise you. However, Lalas’ blunt nature is because he believes this team is equipped with the talent and resources to do something special at home this time around.
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“Let me be a grumpy old man for a little bit,” he added. “This is a generation that has had absolutely everything, both on and off the field in terms of resources, in terms of opportunities, in terms of avenues.
Lalas’ broadcast partner, Stu Holden, shares the same thoughts about the talent this USMNT will possess come next month.
“Look, this is a talented group of players playing at some of the biggest clubs we’ve seen in history,” Holden, who played for the United States during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. “On any given day in the Champions League on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you’ll catch eight or nine American players playing in those games. We haven’t had that in our history.
Former professional soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Stuart Holden interviews on the red carpet at the “One Year to Go” FIFA World Cup 2026 event at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles, California on June 11, 2025. (Jessica Alcheh/Imagn Images)
“The hardest part to really quantify and analyze is how the team is going to lean into hosting. Do they crumble under the pressure or do they thrive in it? Understand that this is a huge opportunity and a huge responsibility, of course, but enjoy the moment. I think if the team can find a way to come together as individuals and play as a team, they can do something special.
“Legacy is defined in a World Cup and this team will forever be watched and judged on what happens this summer.”
Holden went so far as to say that it is “absolutely crucial” that the US win its first Group D game against Paraguay. And winning at the World Cup is something Carli Lloyd, who will be among those providing analysis for Fox Sports throughout the tournament, knows all too well.
Lloyd has two Women’s World Cup titles under her belt and is one of the most recognizable footballers in the country. But she was honest about how important this tournament is to the American men – a talented group that has the opportunity to become household names rather than the international stars coming through.
Carli Lloyd of the United States celebrates after scoring her team’s fourth goal during the women’s bronze medal match against Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Kashima, Japan, on August 5, 2021. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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“I think this group has to do a good job of harnessing that pressure, thriving in that pressure, embracing that pressure. You talk to a lot of people here in America, ‘Name some soccer players.’ We have the Messis, the Ronaldos — let’s talk about some Americans,” she said. “This is the opportunity for some American players this summer to emerge as stars. This is life-changing for Alexi in the World Cup, life-changing for me. This is a moment in time where we can start talking about Weston McKennie. Christian Pulisic is a star, but let’s see some other stars. Let’s be proud of this country this summer and the players are good to come out and have more Americans come to. about the American players instead of the players overseas. That’s the opportunity they have.”
Lalas added: “We as a nation should expect more from these young men for the talent they have. And I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t believe they could live up to it. So whatever pressure they feel…hard. There’s nothing better to play in a World Cup than to play in a home World Cup.”
