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.USMNT fans across the nation brought the patriotism to the team's World Cup opener.
(Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)One patriotic American who doesn't need any reminder that his country is awesome is FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas.ALEXI LALAS DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT TEAM USA PRESSURE DURING HOME WORLD CUP: 'CRY ME A RIVER'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.Commentator and former player Alexi Lalas looks on before the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 final between the United States and Mexico at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on July 6, 2025.
(Omar Vega/Getty Images)During the singing of the national anthem before Friday's match, Lalas apparently got very emotional and was moved to tears.UNITED STATES SHATTERS WORLD CUP VIEWERSHIP RECORD IN FIRST MATCH VS PARAGUAY IN LOS ANGELESNo 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 th...