FOX Sports FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Draw Reaction

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, Sports, Sports News, News

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 December 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, and Brad Guzan come together for a comprehensive dive into the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the draw. Landon dives into the big storylines around Mexico, Germany, Spain, and Portugal, while Cobi jumps in on Canada’s opener, Japan’s chances, and England’s path. Brad brings a goalkeeper’s view on Brazil, Belgium, Argentina, and more. Throughout, they highlight the stars to watch, circle can’t-miss matchups, and throw out bold darkhorse picks. Can Morocco mirror their run in Qatar? How will Argentina and Portugal handle Messi and Ronaldo, respectively. The crew also comes together for a full deep dive on Group D, sizing up the USMNT’s road through Paraguay, Australia, and the UEFA playoff winner before picking every their champion, Golden Ball & Golden Boot winners. Intro (0:00) Group A (2:46) Group B (7:22) Group C (12:38) Group D: USA tops group? (19:03) Group E (33:33) Group F (37:52) Group G (41:17) Group H (44:39) Group I (48:00) Group J (52:34) Group K (5623:) Group L (59:18) Way-Too-Early World Cup Champion Picks (61:47) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Greetings, Alexi Lalas here and welcome to the State of the Union.
0:04.0	I come to you from a hotel room in a hotel that is much too cool for me, down here in Miami, Florida.
0:12.0	It has been a hell of a week, incredible week.
0:15.0	Started out up there in New York City doing a bunch of promotion for the World Cup, then made my way down to our nation's capital
0:21.6	and Washington, D.C. for the FIFA World Cup draw. And then I was supposed to get on a plane
0:27.0	and head back to Los Angeles to record the review show with the Players' Roundtable. But,
0:35.9	unfortunately, the travel gods had something else in store for me,
0:38.9	and my plane just kept getting delayed, delayed, delayed, and then ultimately it got canceled,
0:43.1	and so I couldn't get back there for that. But we have wonderful people. They adjusted,
0:49.1	and we brought in some stars and added some new ones for something very, very special for you. The return of
0:55.6	Kobe Jones and Landon Donovan. And then we brought in Brad Guzan to sit around at the round
1:02.2	table and discuss this very, very interesting World Cup draw that we have. And in particular,
1:09.7	the U.S. group, which I think is, I don't want to
1:13.1	say easy. I don't want to use that word, but let's be honest. It's not easy, but it's easier
1:18.6	than other ones that we've had over the years. I find myself here, like I said, in Miami,
1:23.8	getting ready for tomorrow's Kankakeaf Champions Cup draw, so the work continues.
1:30.0	Mosky and I will be back here in a few days, but until then,
1:35.5	enjoy the Dolcet Sounds and the wonderful sights of Landon-Dotivan, Kobe Jones,
1:40.9	and welcome Brad Guzan as they discuss the World Cup draw.
1:48.2	Donovan has it from home.
1:50.8	There is glory.
1:53.1	It's London, Donovan.
	...

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