For former US World Cup player Alexi Lalas, the fate of Mexico in the upcoming 2026 World Cup is not part of his expectations, and when questioned about the expectations of the Mexican national team, he clearly responded that he is not thinking about them at all.

Interview in the Among the many personalities gathered for the draw of the next World Cup 2026 in Washington, DC, Lalas answered questions about his favorites, mentioning Argentina and then Colombia. However, when asked about Mexico, his response was emphatic, stating that he wasn't considering them. "I think Argentina is first, then Colombia (as possible World Cup winners), and then we'll see," declared the former leader of the US defense in the 1990s, who was one of the strongest opponents in the rivalry that began to solidify against Mexico. "Mexico? No, I'm not thinking about Mexico," he stated upon arriving on the red carpet before the World Cup draw. The response generated surprise, and amid the murmurs and laughter in the press area, it also caused unease because Lalas didn't want to talk about Mexico, especially given the rivalry that has existed between Americans and Mexicans for the last 30 years and which now represents a hard blow when either side suffers a defeat. The World Cup: A Dream for the United States. Aside from that statement, Lalas's presence certainly drew attention in the lead-up to the World Cup draw, especially because the former soccer player represents the image of the effort and struggle that Americans have made to consolidate soccer in their country, and the 2026 World Cup is the ideal setting to realize those ambitions. For that reason, Lalas's image was the catalyst to boost the aspirations of a US team that, under the leadership of Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, is fighting to find the path to success, and what better place to do so than in their second World Cup on the North American nation.

Lalas's statement sparked controversy on social media

Lalas's statement quickly generated controversy on social media, where some Mexican fans saw it as a provocation,while others considered it an incentive to show that the Mexican national team could aspire to success in the World Cup, even though it raised many suspicions.