As the countdown to the biggest soccer tournament on home soil continues, conversation around the 2026 World Cup is growing louder with every passing month. For the United States, the focus is not only on preparation, but on identity — who leads, who starts, and how the team presents itself on the global stage. At the heart of that discussion stands Christian Pulisic leading the line at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Alexi Lalas, a phrase that increasingly feels less like speculation and more like expectation.
With a new coaching era underway and a generation of American players entering their prime, one former USMNT icon has offered a revealing glimpse into what the future may hold. With the World Cup set to kick off in June 2026, the tournament’s opening match will mark a defining moment for the United States. The tournament represents not only a sporting opportunity but a cultural milestone for American soccer.
According to FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas, the United States is beginning to show a clearer tactical identity under its current leadership. His latest projected starting XI hints at a bold structure, one designed to maximize athleticism, balance, and attacking freedom — with Christian Pulisic as the central figure. From the outset, the implication is clear: this is a team built around its most accomplished player.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Lalas’ vision is the defensive setup. Rather than committing fully to a traditional back four, he points toward a system that has already been tested in recent international windows. The three-man defensive line — featuring Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Miles Robinson — reflects a growing emphasis on stability through experience and physical presence. This structure allows the United States to remain compact centrally while freeing up width elsewhere.
In fact, Richards enters this conversation with significant momentum, having been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after a breakout campaign at both club and international levels. On the flanks, wingbacks such as Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson provide energy and attacking thrust — a crucial component if the system is to function effectively against elite opposition.
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Midfield balance: experience meets momentum
In midfield, familiarity blends with form. Veterans of the 2022 World Cup remain central to the plan, with Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams anchoring the engine room. McKennie’s box-to-box presence and Adams’ defensive intelligence form a partnership that has already proven effective at the highest level. Alongside them, the inclusion of Malik Tillman reflects confidence in attacking creativity.
Tillman’s performances at the 2025 Gold Cup — where he scored three goals — elevated his status within the squad. The midfield is designed to protect the back line while feeding attacking transitions quickly, a system tailored to Pulisic’s strengths.
Alexi Lalas’ predicted Starting XI for the USMNT during the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lalas’ attacking vision comes into focus
Lalas’ projected XI places Folarin Balogun as the central striker, with Pulisic operating nominally from the left — but with far greater responsibility than a traditional winger. In reality, the American captain becomes the offensive hub. Lalas emphasized that Pulisic’s role would be fluid, allowing him to drift centrally, combine with midfield runners, and dictate tempo in decisive moments.
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The Milan staris not just a winger in this setup — he is the team’s primary playmaker, emotional leader, and attacking reference point. This structure mirrors how elite international sides maximize their star players: not by confining them to rigid positions, but by giving them freedom within a disciplined framework.
