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Alexi Lalas Reveals Controversial 2026 World Cup Lineup

1/21/2026

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Alexi Lalas, former U.S. men's national team player, has released his starting lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably excluding Timothy Weah.
Lalas favors Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun in the attack, despite Weah's reliability.
The U.S. team, led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, aims for a strong home performance.
They have a five-game unbeaten streak and a favorable group-stage draw ahead of the June 12, 2026 opener.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosted in the United States, was a landmark event that attracted over 3.5 million fans and showcased the U.S. team reaching the Round of 16. This tournament, held from June 17 to July 17, 1994, significantly boosted soccer's popularity in America, setting the stage for future growth and aspirations for the 2026 World Cup.

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Story summary

Alexi Lalas, former U.S. men's national team player, has released his starting lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably excluding Timothy Weah.
Lalas favors Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun in the attack, despite Weah's reliability.
The U.S. team, led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, aims for a strong home performance.
They have a five-game unbeaten streak and a favorable group-stage draw ahead of the June 12, 2026 opener.

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