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Channing Tatum's World Cup Transformation Into Soccer Star Erling Haaland Deserves a Double Take
Carli Lloyd may have been a midfielder, but she’s become a striker in her retirement.
Following the U.S. men’s national team’s tough 4-1 loss to Belgium during the 2026 World Cup’s round of 16 match on July 6, the soccer player-turned-commentator shared her candid opinion on the team’s performance.
“I feel like they lost the game before they even stepped out onto the pitch,” Lloyd remarked on Fox Sports’ broadcast after the match. “And I’m not sure why, and I don’t know the reasons. But just from the beginning, just chasing, tentative, scared—just not confident on the ball.”
She also took specific aim at the team member dubbed “Captain America,” 27-year-old Christian Pulisic.
“I think big time players, you wanted some of those big-time players to step up in big moments,” she said. “And I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with Christian Pulisic. I think whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really the whole World Cup, little glimpses here and there.”
During what would prove to be the American team’s final showdown against Belgium, Pulisic—who landed one assist throughout the five games the team played in tournament—was ultimately sidelined after twisting his ankle in the 59th minute of the game.
But despite the loss in the Round of 16, Lloyd still wanted to give the team their flowers.
John Nacion/FOX Sports via Getty Images & John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
“On the brighter storyline, it’s been a fantastic World Cup,” the 43-year-old added. “This team has united the country, they have gotten American fans to fall in love with them, and there is a bright future. But this is just a real disappointing loss to go out on.”
As for Pulisic, largely considered the face of the team, Lloyd wasn’t quite ready to let him out of the penalty box. Following the match, Pulisic shared some insight into what went down with his ankle, and Lloyd didn’t love his answer.
“I just twisted my ankle, sprained my ankle,” he told Fox Sports. “I mean, it’s just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I have time to rest, so, hopefully it’ll be okay.”
Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images
Lloyd, however, is of the camp that there ain’t no rest for the wicked—not when there are future matches for which to prepare.
“You rest when your playing career is over,” she wrote on X July 7. “Period.”
As for the remaining teams in the World Cup as it heads to the quarterfinals, those countries still hoping to bring home the trophy include Spain, France, Morocco, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland.
For more insight into some of the stars on those teams, read on.
Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Lamine Yamal
Age: 18
World Cup Team: Spain
Current Soccer Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Position: Midfielder
Don't let Yamal's age fool you. In just two years since his debut, the Spaniard already has a UEFA European Football Championship under his belt. He was also the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or—also known as the "Golden Ball," an award recognizing the best soccer player of the year—in 2025.
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images
Lionel Messi
Age: 38
World Cup Team: Argentina
Current Soccer Club: Inter Miami CF (United States)
Position: Forward
History has its eyes on Messi, who is the most decorated player in the world of soccer. Not only is he the defending World Cup champion, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is on the cusp of becoming the first player to win back-to-back World Cups as the captain of his national team.
Clicks Images/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 41
World Cup Team: Portugal
Current Soccer Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Position: Forward
There's a reason why Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest players of all time. After all, he's scored over 970 goals in his career so far and shows no signs of stopping. He scored at least 100 goals while playing with each of his former clubs—Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus—as well as over 130 goals with his national team.
Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
Harry Kane
Age: 32
World Cup Team: England
Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Position: Forward
Known as one of the best strikers of his generation, Kane is serving as the captain of England's national team for the third consecutive World Cup. In fact, the London native scored the winning goal at the team's warm-up match against New Zealand on June 6.
Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images
Jamal Musiala
Age: 23
World Cup Team: Germany
Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Position: Midfielder
Ever since kicking off his professional soccer career at age 16, Musiala has been nicknamed "Bambi" for his graceful movements on the pitch. He made his World Cup debut at the 2022 tournament.
Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Neymar
Age: 34
World Cup Team: Brazil
Current Soccer Club: Santos FC (Brazil)
Position: Forward
Born Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, the mononymous sensation is his home country's all-time leading scorer after surpassing Pelé's 52-year record in 2023. He's looking to lead his team back to World Cup glory for the first time since 2002.
Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
Luka Modric
Age: 40
World Cup Team: Croatia
Current Soccer Club: AC Milan (Italy)
Position: Midfielder
Considered Croatia's greatest soccer player, Modric captained the nation's team to a third-place victory at the 2018 World Cup. He also holds the record for most caps for Croatia, playing for the country more than 190 times on the international stage.
Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe
Age: 27
World Cup Team: France
Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Forward
Mbappe took home the World Cup when he made his debut in 2018. And after coming close in 2022, with Argentina defeating France in a penalty shoot-out, the Frenchman is undoubtedly entering this year's competition with fire in his belly.
Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Vinicius Junior
Age: 25
World Cup Team: Brazil
Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Forward
Born Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, the Brazilian soccer superstar was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player and runner-up to the Ballon d'Or in 2024. In his second World Cup appearance, Vini Jr. is hoping to end Brazil's 24-year wait for the trophy.
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