Former USA teammate Wynalda calls Lalas' World Cup punditry 'unwatchable' on Fox Sports

Eric Wynalda has publicly turned on former United States international Alexi Lalas, describing his Fox Sports punditry at the 2026 World Cup as “unwatchable at times” and accusing the network of instructing Lalas to manufacture controversy.

Speaking on The Soccer Media Podcast, Wynalda — himself a Fox Sports analyst — was blunt in his assessment. “I think a lot of people feel that way,” he said. “Alexi is, kind of true to the Fox brand, has been told: this is what we need you to do, start a fight, say some things, insult some people, say something outlandish that no one will believe, and we’ll see how many people will click into that.”

Wynalda argued the tactic has run its course. “I think the American public has grown up now. I think our community, our soccer community is way too knowledgeable to fall for that anymore.”

Lalas has been part of Fox’s primary studio team for the tournament alongside Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, with Rebecca Lowe anchoring the desk. The dynamic between the three analysts has drawn widespread criticism, with viewers pointing to what they perceive as visible disdain from Henry and Ibrahimović toward their colleague. The Guardian described Lalas’ on-air style as “trollish, hyperventilating garbage.”

Lalas, for his part, has previously shown little concern for the backlash. In 2024 he stated: “I don’t care if you like me or you don’t. I am as human as I possibly can be with the recognition that, on television, things have to be bigger and bolder.”

The criticism carries particular weight coming from Wynalda, who played alongside Lalas for the USMNT during the 1990s and remains a credible voice in American football media through his work covering the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup.