U.S. Starting XI Predictions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, News, Sports News, Sports

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 15 January 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

FOX Soccer Insider Doug McIntyre drops his first 2026 USA World Cup roster prediction, and we break it all down. From Matt Freese leading the way in goal, to bold calls like Tanner Tessmann starting alongside Tyler Adams in the midfield. We analyze Doug’s full Starting XI, major omissions (Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Haji Wright, Joe Scally) before Alexi Lalas reveals his own USMNT Starting XI. We also preview a big USA Abroad Weekend Preview plus massive global matchups including Manchester United vs Manchester City, RB Leipzig vs Bayern & the Africa Cup of Nations Final. Before we wrap the podcast, the guys answer questions on the (lack?) of growth of soccer on the men’s game in the U.S in #AskAlexi Would Weston McKennie be the best player on the 1994 U.S. squad? Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro (0:00)Doug McIntyre’s U.S. Roster & Starting XI predictions (5:55)Alexi’s Starting XI (12:22)U.S. Abroad: Sargent sitting out against Wrexham? (17:36)#AskAlexi: McKennie handed #10 on the 1994 World Cup team? (32:55)One For The Road: No Free Fan Fest? (44:58) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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