Alexi Lalas praised President Donald Trump for being “invested” in the World Cup, saying the White House’s involvement reflects “soft power.” His comments drew immediate online backlash, even as FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Trump continu
On Thursday, Alexi Lalas sounded upbeat about the idea of a U.S. president who pays attention to soccer—so upbeat that he suggested Trump could go down in history as the sport’s White House caretaker.
“I love the fact that I cannot think of another administration where there has been more soccer emanating from the White House and from the Oval Office. ” Lalas said on the “Ryen Russillo Show” episode posted Thursday. “And regardless of your political affiliation here. having the president of the United States be invested in a World Cup. that’s a good thing. All right?. Because again, it’s happening on his watch. He understands soft power, probably better than anybody. I think he’s going to go down as the soccer president. But it behooves us. and he recognizes that it’s a reflection on him. to make sure that this goes well.”.
Lalas—an American former U.S. team standout and a 1994 World Cup star—has been a Trump supporter and has drawn attention for having the president’s ear for the global tournament.
Not everyone welcomed the praise. One user on X wrote, “I legit watch in Telemundo because of shit like this,” referring to the Spanish-language broadcaster. Another replied, “He obviously hit too many headers. What a crazy thing to believe,” pushing back on Lalas’s assessment. A third comment said. “Alexi Lalas and his absolutely awful takes on just about everything is what I’m least looking forward to during the World Cup.”.
The debate around Trump’s soccer profile has also spilled beyond domestic TV talk. Trump’s relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made headlines, particularly after Infantino named Trump the recipient of the first-ever “FIFA Peace Prize” in December.
In words that have drawn criticism in retrospect, Infantino said the award was “in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the world.”
As that controversy hangs over the tournament, Lalas is heading into the World Cup with a familiar role: he has been tied to the U.S. team, where the co-host begins play against Paraguay on Friday.
United States politics Trump Alexi Lalas World Cup FIFA Gianni Infantino Oval Office soft power FIFA Peace Prize Telemundo Paraguay