Kennedy Saves the World
Episode: Happy Hour: Soccer & Spritz With Alexi Lalas
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Alexi Lalas
Overview
This lively, humorous "holiday happy hour" episode features Kennedy and U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas discussing the excitement around the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting. With Aperol spritzes in hand, they dive into the World Cup’s impact on American culture, soccer’s evolution in the U.S., the significance of sporting legacies, political overtones, and the potential for soccer to unite the country. The episode also touches on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, the challenges of ticket access, cultural aspects like fan chants, and a candid debate on inclusivity and fairness in women’s sports.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The 2026 World Cup: Bigger Than Ever
- America at the Center:
- The U.S. hosts the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, with most matches in the States (11 U.S. venues).
- Largest World Cup ever: 48 teams, 104 games.
- Tied to America’s 250th birthday, amplifying the national celebration (03:02, 03:29).
- “Not for nothing, but this is happening during the 250th birthday of the greatest country in the world.” — Alexi Lalas [03:02]
- National Opportunity:
- Alexi reflects on how hosting changed U.S. soccer in 1994 and expects 2026 to “dwarf” those effects.
- The focus is on the legacy: “What does it leave?” (01:39)
- “There’ll be young boys and girls that will watch the World Cup, but they'll also see their country through the lens of the World Cup.” — Alexi Lalas [01:39]
The Players, The Competition, and The Draw
- Global Superstars on Display:
- Kennedy asks about superstars likely to play, especially Messi (now at Inter Miami), Mbappé, Spain’s resurgence, and England’s strength.
- Alexi stresses the emotional stakes—especially not letting England win on U.S. soil during the anniversary (04:43–05:06).
- “What I can't abide is England coming to the United States on our 250th birthday and having it come home...” — Alexi Lalas [04:47]
- Understanding the Pots & Draws:
- Alexi describes the draw process, the drama, and how “it gets real very quickly” as groups emerge (05:19–06:15).
- New countries participating—Jordan, Uzbekistan, Curacao, possibly Haiti for the first time since 1974 (07:08–07:31).
Tickets & Cultural Impact
- Scarcity and Demand:
- Tickets will be "very hard" to obtain and expensive (“bucket list” event for many) [06:52].
- Diversity & Inclusion:
- The tournament includes new teams, promoting cultural exchange and excitement.
- Politics & The World Stage:
- Alexi observes how sports and politics intertwine, noting likely political gestures and Trump’s involvement as "the soccer president" (08:18–08:55).
- “President Trump is actually gonna go down as the soccer president.” — Alexi Lalas [08:18]
The US Men’s and Women’s Teams
- Men's Team Progress and Hopes:
- Kennedy probes Alexi’s confidence in the U.S. men’s squad.
- Alexi is candid: not a favorite to win, but “heading in the right direction.” He expects the home World Cup magic to inspire a strong performance (10:16–11:03).
- “Nothing better than a World Cup except a home World Cup. And I think they will tap into some magic and harness that.” — Alexi Lalas [10:16]
- Coaching and Transition:
- Discussion of the current U.S. coach (with a prominent international record but new to national teams).
- U.S. auto-qualifies as host; friendlies matter less (11:13–11:29).
- Women’s Team Dominance and Progress:
- New coach but “cruising” with sights set on another title; roots of dominance due to legislative support for women’s sports (11:33–11:59).
- “We legislated for it in terms of women's sports. Especially relative to other countries and cultures…” — Alexi Lalas [11:54]
- Debate on Trans Inclusion in Women’s Sports:
- Kennedy and Alexi discuss Megan Rapinoe’s comments on trans women in women's soccer, expressing concerns about fairness and lack of voices from legendary players (12:36–13:51).
Atmosphere, Alcohol, and Fan Culture
- Alcohol at the World Cup:
- Unlike Qatar, there will be plenty of alcohol—“you're not going to have a problem next summer" (14:02–14:14).
- Hosting reflects on U.S. culture and hospitality—“the advertisement that goes out around the world is one that is positive” (14:27).
- Soccer Chants, Drums, & Belonging:
- Fan culture and chants discussed, with encouragement for newcomers; camaraderie in the stands highlighted (15:34–16:14).
- “They love to educate and they love to cradle you, they will cradle you.” — Alexi Lalas [16:01]
- Media Coverage:
- Fox team to move around venues for broader coverage, capturing the “flavor and the sounds and the scents and the sights” (16:24–16:59).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On World Cup Legacy:
- “What I saw in that summer was how it changed the perception of soccer… that's what's on the offing here next summer. And in a way that will dwarf the 1994 World Cup.” — Alexi Lalas [01:39]
- On National Stakes:
- “We cannot have [England win]… I think the English are insufferable now. Good god, if they won the World Cup on our shores… They would demand the colonies back, is what they’d do.” — Alexi Lalas & Kennedy [04:47–05:12]
- On Women’s Soccer:
- “We legislated for it in terms of women’s sports, especially relative to other countries and cultures…” — Alexi Lalas [11:54]
- “I've actually been a little disappointed that more of, you know, these legendary women that we have in the game haven't stood up for what they have because…” — Alexi Lalas [12:57]
- On American World Cup Hosting:
- “This is happening on our watch…this is going to be a reflection on us and our culture and our society. And so it behooves us to make sure that this goes well.” — Alexi Lalas [14:27]
- On Soccer’s Unifying Power:
- “Soccer is so… it is the most unifying sport in the world.” — Kennedy [15:18]
- “It's simple, it's easy. Don't you worry. Even if you're not into soccer, just check it out. It's a big old party. You know, you sing, you dance, you have a good time.” — Alexi Lalas [15:27]
- On Belonging in Soccer Culture:
- “They love to educate and they love to cradle you, they will cradle you.” — Alexi Lalas [16:01]
- “That's why you want to cradle. I want to be cradled. I want to be taught and nurtured and brought into the fold.” — Kennedy [16:08]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:30–01:33: Introduction, hosting excitement, legacy of 1994 World Cup
- 02:38–03:29: Cities hosting, scope of tournament, ties to 250th U.S. birthday
- 04:10–05:15: Superstar players, England’s threat, emotional stakes
- 05:19–06:49: Explanation of World Cup draw, drama, future matchups
- 06:52–07:31: Ticket access, debuts of new countries
- 08:18–08:55: Politics & World Cup, Trump as “soccer president”
- 10:16–11:03: U.S. Men’s team prospects and hopes
- 11:33–11:59: U.S. Women’s team legacy and dominance
- 12:36–13:51: Debate on fairness in women’s sports
- 14:02–14:27: Alcohol and positive U.S. hospitality
- 15:18–16:14: Soccer as a unifier, fan culture, inclusivity in fandom
- 16:24–16:59: Broadcast approach, capturing World Cup’s vibrancy
Tone and Closing
The episode maintains Kennedy’s signature witty, fast-paced, and candid tone, keeping the conversation engaging and accessible for soccer fans and newcomers alike. The soccer spritzes, banter about fan traditions, and irreverent takes on U.S. and global politics underline the show’s blend of fun and thoughtful conversation. The hosts’ optimism about soccer’s power to bring people (and a nation) together underscores the coming spectacle of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.