SouthernWorldwide.com – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas has voiced a strong sentiment about his preferred outcome, specifically who he hopes *won’t* win the prestigious tournament.
Lalas expressed his fervent wish that England does not emerge victorious on American soil, especially given the significant historical milestone the United States will be celebrating that year.
“I don’t care who wins as long as it’s not England,” Lalas stated during Fox Sports’ FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Day held in New York City. He elaborated on his strong feelings, emphasizing the unacceptability of England winning the World Cup on American Independence Day.
“I can abide by a lot of things happening this summer, but one thing I cannot is having England come over on our shores, on our 250th birthday of what I feel is the greatest country in the world, and for them to win a World Cup.”
He further illustrated his point by imagining the potential for increased English triumphalism. “If you think they’re insufferable now, could you imagine they came over and won that World Cup and it’s coming home through our country. I cannot have that, so anybody but England.”
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The competitive spirit between the U.S. and England was evident in their 2022 World Cup group stage encounter, which ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. However, for a rematch in 2026, both teams would need to advance from their respective groups.
Lalas could not stomach the thought of England securing their first World Cup title since their sole victory in 1966.
Despite his personal aversion, Lalas acknowledged the formidable strength of the English squad in the upcoming tournament. “They’re really good,” he admitted, with a tone of reluctance. “As much as it pains me to say, they are very, very good. The soccer gods have a wicked sense of humor. Please not England, anybody but England.”
His Fox Sports colleague, host Rebecca Lowe, who hails from West London, shared her lifelong dream of seeing England lift the World Cup. Lowe’s perspective offered a stark contrast to Lalas’s apprehension.
“Every four years of my play since 1990, I think about England winning the World Cup,” Lowe remarked after Lalas’s impassioned plea. She playfully suggested that her opposition might be the very catalyst for an English victory.
“So, I’m now getting to a stage where if I now go against them, they’re going to do it. I’m going to be courageous. It is going to come home.”
Lowe and Lalas have reportedly agreed to a bet regarding the tournament’s outcome, with consequences to be faced by the loser should England be crowned champions.
Other notable figures on the panel, including Carli Lloyd, Stu Holden, and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, also shared their predictions. Hernandez echoed Lowe’s sentiment, hoping for an England win, though he also expressed a desire for his home country, Mexico, to triumph.
Conversely, both Carli Lloyd and Stu Holden placed their bets on France, the team that narrowly lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup Final. They anticipate France’s continued strength and depth will lead them to victory at MetLife Stadium in July.
“The French, I just look at this team, they continue to get stronger. When they go down a generation, the next generation comes,” Holden explained, highlighting France’s consistent talent pipeline.
“I’m going to go with France as well,” Lloyd added, citing the team’s depth and experience. She drew a parallel to her own experience, emphasizing the strong desire to win after a previous World Cup final loss.
While the panel expressed optimism for the U.S. men’s national team’s potential performance on home soil, the sheer caliber of talent converging in North America for the tournament is undeniable.
