US soccer legend Alexi Lalas trolled for ‘horrendous’ take about fans at FIFA World Cup 2026

With the 2026 World Cup only two months away from kicking off, one of host nation America’s most well decorated players, Alexi Lalas, is being chewed out on social media.

Lalas, who won 96 caps for the United States between 1991 and 1998, has drawn the ire of fans everywhere with a quite outlandish claim during a recent show.

The National Soccer Hall of Famer appeared on Fox Soccer earlier this week and discussed the support the host nation will have at this summer’s tournament.

Alexi Lalas makes bold claim about US fans

America, alongside neighbours Canada and Mexico, will host the biggest ever World Cup tournament, this summer. 48 teams, increased from the usual 32, will take part across six weeks and 104 matches (up from 64). The final will be held at New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium, on 19th July.

With over a dozen extra nations qualifying for this year’s competition, there will be a procession of supporters from around the globe descending on the US, Mexico and Canada. And Lalas seems to think the US fanbase will outshine almost all of them.

Speaking on Fox Soccer, where he was ranking the best national team fanbases in the world, Lalas made the bold claim, saying, “This might be a controversial one, but United States, the Good Old US of A, coming in at number three.

“We’ve talked about the diversity we have here in the United States. The multi-culturism that we have. And all of those different nationalities and heritages, they come together. I think they make something incredibly unique.

“And yet when I look around and I see the stands full of American flags, I know they all come from diverse backgrounds and different pathways and yet they’re celebrating this country together.

“I’m not saying other countries don’t have that, but I think the US, more so than any other country in the world does that. And yeah, you can call it nationalism, whatever, but Americans, regardless of their background, they love to celebrate America.”

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US football fans hit back at Lalas

Given that Lalas has been a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, who’s immigration policies have received widespread condemnation during his second term as President, with minority communities regularly terrorised and targeted by ICE and Homeland Security agents, not many people were convinced by his take.

In fact, many people in the comments section could not wait to rip the former New England Revolution defender to shreds.

“This guy single handily is ruining the reputation of US soccer globally” came one comment, with another user adding, “I’m an American and Alexei Lalas is definitely making this up, bro has no idea what’s he’s talking about.”

Elsewhere in the replies, one user commented, “not even top 3 in CONCACAF” with another commenter adding, “Coming in 3rd? In what? The group stage?”

The overwhelming negativity in the responses didn’t stop there, though. “We all know Alexi doesn’t care for diversity” one person said, with another replying, “Wait…Alexi actually likes diversity and inclusion ????”

We guess we’ll see how ‘Murica fans fare when they come up against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye in the group stages. Will the home support prove Alexi Lalas right or will literally every other nation prove him wrong?