When you think of American soccer royalty, Alexi Lalas is a name that stands tall. A breakout star of the 1994 U.S. Men's National Team and the first American to ever play in Italy's Serie A, Lalas has since become the lead soccer analyst for Fox Sports and the voice behind the State of the Union podcast. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we caught up with the legend to get his expert take on the tournament—and what it means for the beautiful game in America.

Looking back at the 1994 World Cup, Lalas describes it as "the Wild West" of soccer. "People forget that some of us had never even been on the books of a pro club at that time," he recalls. "There was an element of responsibility—not just competing, but making sure we didn't hurt soccer going forward. Thankfully, we didn't." That tournament was a turning point, and the historic win against Colombia stands out as one of the greatest days of his life. "When the final whistle blew, there was disappointment, sure, but there was pride too. Soccer here was not in the same place. It changed my life forever."

Fast forward to today, and Lalas has even advised the White House on the upcoming World Cup. His message? Two key words: opportunity and responsibility. "We have the chance to spread the gospel and give people a greater respect for the game," he says. "America is a soccer culture now—educated, discerning, and passionate—but it's very American. The responsibility is to make sure fans have a kickass summer. It's on our watch, and it reflects on us as Americans."

As for the current U.S. team, Lalas is candid. "After 32 years, I would have hoped we would have been further along," he admits. But with the co-hosting duties and a nation hungry for progress, the stage is set for something special. Whether you're gearing up for match day or just love the sport, Lalas's insights remind us that every World Cup is a chance to write a new chapter—and maybe even change a few lives along the way.