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Alexi Lalas Sounds the Alarm: “Anybody But England” for 2026 World Cup on Home Soil
American soccer icon and current broadcaster Alexi Lalas once again proved he’s not one to hold back, passionately voicing his concerns about the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup during FOX Sports’ recent draw coverage in Washington, D.C. His message was clear: England cannot win the World Cup in the United States.
Lalas, a perennial champion of his home nation, made his feelings abundantly clear while discussing potential title favorites with French legend Thierry Henry. “It pains me to say this publicly, England is really good.
They are really good,” Lalas admitted. “And they are coming to our shores next summer.
We cannot have England win a World Cup in the United States on the 250th birthday of the greatest country in the world.”
The thought of England celebrating a World Cup victory on American soil, particularly with their popular “It’s coming home” anthem, appears to be a bridge too far for Lalas. “You think the English are insufferable now?
Can you imagine if they come over, and ‘It’s coming home,’ and ‘It’s coming home’ through the United States? I do not abide.
I will not have that. Anybody but England.
However, they are very good.”
These strong sentiments echo a similar appearance Lalas made on the British radio station TalkSport just days prior, where he delivered an almost identical warning.
Lalas’s outspoken comments quickly ignited a firestorm on social media, with many fans expressing their irritation. One user wrote, “It’s 8am and Alexi Lalas made me mute the television because he’s ranting about England winning the WC in the U.S.” Another questioned, “Why does Alexi Lalas hate England so much what about the special relationship?”
Looking at the teams themselves, England enters the World Cup ranked fourth globally by FIFA, having dominated their Group K qualifying games with eight wins, 22 goals scored, and no goals conceded. Under former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who took over in January, the team boasts an impressive 9-0-1 record, with their only loss coming in a friendly against Senegal.
Meanwhile, the US Men’s National Team, as one of the three host nations alongside Mexico and Canada, automatically qualified for the tournament. Guided by head coach Mauricio Pochettino since September 2024, the USMNT has posted a 14-1-7 record.
While they fell short in defending their CONCACAF Nations League title and lost the Gold Cup Final to a more experienced Mexico side, Pochettino’s recent tactical shift to a back three appears to be paying dividends. The team has won four of their last five games, integrating a dynamic mix of veteran talent, rising stars, and new international faces to forge an increasingly aggressive and exciting squad.