Few things can bring out a sense of national pride quite like an international sports tournament.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place on U.S. soil, every American (or at least the ones proud of their heritage) is experiencing a renewed sense of love for their country.
Then again, it’s even easier to be proud of where you’re from when you have foreign visitors heaping praise onto your homeland in droves, but I digress.
One patriotic American who doesn’t need any reminder that his country is awesome is FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas.
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Lalas donned the Stars and Stripes for the United States during the 1994 World Cup, which also took place in America, and he has never been shy about wearing his pride for the States on his sleeve.
No one was happier to see the U.S. Men’s National Team dismantle Paraguay to open the group stages of this year’s World Cup than Lalas, but his pride wasn’t just contained to the happenings on the pitch.
During the singing of the national anthem before Friday’s match, Lalas apparently got very emotional and was moved to tears.
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No one in the public knew until much later, when, during a recap broadcast, Lalas’ fellow FOX commentator, former French soccer star Thierry Henry, revealed he was moved by his coworker’s display of emotion.
“This man over there, as I looked at him (during) the National Anthem,” Henry said, as he pointed toward Lalas. “How you cried, and how you were passionate about singing the National Anthem… then I realized how important it was for you guys and how important it is for you.”
Henry also said that the way the team played inspired him, and he believes it all stemmed from how proud they were to represent the nation and wear the colors of their country.
“It was actually outstanding,” Henry revealed. “I will always remember that.”
Former Swedish soccer sensation Zlatan Ibrahimović echoed Henry’s sentiments.
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“You made me emotional,” Ibrahimović said. “That doesn’t happen every day.”
If the USMNT can channel the success from Friday’s domination over Paraguay and couple that with Lalas’ raw emotion and love for his home country, this team will be hard to beat in 2026.
Good for Henry sharing this story and for Lalas, who was comfortable enough to recount such a personal moment.
Who says Americans don’t love soccer?
