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Alexi Lalas maintains stance on calling soccer not football

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 6:00 PM

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

Alexi Lalas maintains stance on calling soccer not football

Summary

On June 20, Alexi Lalas, a Fox Sports studio analyst, reiterated his preference for the term 'soccer' over 'football'. During a discussion sparked by a fan's criticism, Lalas expressed that he takes pride in using 'soccer', stating it reflects authenticity rather than insecurity. The debate highlights contrasting terminology within the sports community, particularly among prominent figures who navigate both American and British audiences. Lalas's comments come after he made headlines for previous on-air remarks that drew attention during the ongoing tournament.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Lalas refuses to use 'football' instead of 'soccer'.
•He defends his choice against claims of insecurity.
•The discussion continued during the ongoing tournament.
•Colleagues like Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović use both terms.

Latest Updates

6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Alexi Lalas refuses to call it football: ‘It makes you look like a weak poser’

What they're saying

"
Alexi Lalas has never met a hill he didn’t want to die on, and this week’s hill is, of all things, vocabulary. A fan pushed back on the Fox Sports studio analyst for repeatedly saying “soccer” instead of “football,” arguing that even American players make the switch in overseas interviews as a basic show of…
— Yahoo Sports

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