Alexi Lalas Says He Warned Trump: 'Let's Not F--- It Up' Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Former U.S. defender told the president at a White House task force meeting the tournament will reflect on the country and his administration
Former U.S. Men’s National Team defender Alexi Lalas said he told President Donald Trump, "let's not f--- it up," during a White House World Cup task force meeting as the United States, Mexico and Canada prepare to co-host the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Lalas, a Trump voter who played for the U.S. team when the country last hosted the tournament in 1994, said in a Politico interview published this week that he delivered the blunt admonition because the event will "reflect on us as just a nation and it's going to reflect on President Trump." He said that framing explained why he addressed the president directly at the meeting.
In the interview, Lalas acknowledged that perceptions of American immigration policy and enforcement could deter some supporters abroad from attending the tournament, and he said those perceptions posed a problem even if he personally disagreed with them. "If what they are seeing, what they are reading, turns them off from taking that vacation through the World Cup, that is a problem," he said.
Lalas described his goal as trying to change the perception where he can. "If you want to support your country and you want to support your team, and you pass the vetting process, you are going to have a wonderful time. And then hopefully that message is brought back and so we can start to change some of that perception out there," he told Politico, while also conceding that negative views of the United States exist and are "out there." He said he was not denying the reality of those perceptions.
The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup staged across three countries and the first to expand the field to 48 teams. U.S. officials, local organizers and FIFA have highlighted the potential economic and diplomatic benefits of hosting large numbers of international fans, while some critics have warned that political developments could affect attendance and the tournament's reputation.
Lalas, who spent seven years representing the United States and later played for Italian club Padova and Major League Soccer teams including the Kansas City Wizards and the Los Angeles Galaxy, has remained a visible voice in American soccer since his playing days. He said his approach at the White House meeting was meant to underscore the stakes for organizers and for the administration.
The Politico interview, excerpts of which were reported by HuffPost, is part of a broader public conversation about how political decisions and national policies might influence global sporting events. Lalas’ comments reflect a perspective from inside the U.S. soccer community that hosting responsibilities extend beyond logistics and stadium readiness to include how the host country is perceived by potential visitors.
Organizers for the 2026 World Cup and representatives of the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Lalas' remarks. FIFA officials have previously said they expect the tournament to be a unifying global event and have cooperated with host nations on preparations, security and fan travel logistics as the event approaches.