Lalas singles out England as the one team he cannot bear to win 2026 World Cup

Lalas singles out England as the one team he cannot bear to win 2026 World Cup

Fox Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas declared at the network’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Day in New York City that England is the only team he is unwilling to see lift the trophy this summer. “I don’t care who wins as long as it’s not England,” Lalas said. “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.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in July. The tournament falls during the United States’ 250th anniversary as a nation, a detail Lalas leaned on heavily in framing his objection to an England triumph. He acknowledged England’s quality while doubling down on his position: “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.” England’s only World Cup title came in 1966, when the tournament was held on home soil.

Fox Sports host Rebecca Lowe, who grew up in west London, pushed back directly, declaring “it is going to come home” and agreeing with Lalas to settle the debate with a wager once the tournament begins. Fellow panelist Javier Hernandez also backed England as a potential winner, though he expressed hope that host nation Mexico could go further. Analysts Carli Lloyd and Stu Holden both named France, beaten by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final, as their pick to win the tournament.

The United States and England last met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, drawing 0-0 in the group stage. Should both nations advance out of their respective groups at the 2026 edition, a meeting in the knockout rounds would be possible. The expanded 48-team format of the 2026 tournament means more matches and more routes to a potential final at MetLife Stadium.