Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović watch FOX colleague Alexi Lalas react to the National Anthem
Few things can evoke a sense of national pride like an international sporting tournament.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place on US soil, every American (or at least those who are proud of their heritage) has a renewed sense of love for their country.
Then again, it’s even easier to be proud of where you come from when you have foreign tourists visiting your country in droves, but I digress.
USMNT fans across the country brought their patriotism to the team’s World Cup debut. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
One patriotic American who doesn’t need a reminder that his country is awesome is FOX Sports football analyst Alexi Lalas.
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Lalas wore the Stars and Stripes for the United States during the 1994 World Cup, also in America, and has never been shy about wearing his American pride on his sleeve.
No one was more excited to see the US Men’s National Team dismantle Paraguay to open the group stages of this year’s World Cup than Lalas, but his pride was not limited by what happened on the pitch.
Commentator and former player Alexi Lalas looks on before the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final between the United States and Mexico at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on July 6, 2025. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
During the national anthem before Friday’s game, Lalas was visibly moved and broke down in tears.
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No one in the public knew until much later, when, during the rebroadcast, Lalas’ FOX commentator, former French soccer star Thierry Henry, revealed that he was moved by his teammate’s emotional display.
“This man over there, I looked at him (during) the national anthem,” said Henry, pointing to Lalas. “The way you were crying, and the way you were passionate about singing the national anthem… then I realized how important it was to you guys and how important it is to you.”
Henry also said that the way the team played inspired him, and he believes that all this stems from the way they were proud to represent the nation and wear the colors of their country.
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“It was really outstanding,” Henry revealed. “I will always remember that.”
Former Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimović echoed Henry’s words.
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Alexi Lalas of the United States watches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. (Archive photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty AS)
“He made me feel,” Ibrahimović said. “That doesn’t happen every day.”
If the USMNT can carry over Friday’s dominant win over Paraguay and marry that with Lalas’ raw passion and love for his country, this team will be hard to beat in 2026.
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It’s good of Henry to share this story and of Lalas, who was comfortable enough to share such a personal moment.
Who says Americans don’t like football?
