Alex Labidou

Alex Labidou

Managing Editor, GOAL US

Bio: I am GOAL USA’s Managing Editor, leading coverage of North American soccer while also writing news and feature stories. I started my career at NBA.com and first joined GOAL as Deputy Editor from 2010-13. Since then, I’ve worked at ESPN, NBC Sports and with the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets, and contributed to TV and radio work for NBC, CNN, and various podcasts. Motivated by the seismic momentum of the 2026 World Cup, I rejoined GOAL in 2024 to help tell the game’s biggest stories in the U.S. and beyond.

My football story: I was introduced to the sport in 2007 by a friend, Jude, who took me to Nevada Smith's (RIP) in New York City. Despite being crammed into a basement pub at 6:30 a.m., I was instantly hooked. 

Areas of expertise: I wear many hats.

Favorite footballing memory: Watching the 2012 Champions League final at Zum Schneider (another RIP) in New York. After Didier Drogba’s heroics stunned Bayern Munich, my friend Rob and I had to climb out of a window to avoid a room full of furious Bayern fans.

All-Time XI: Tim Howard, Ashley Cole, Vincent Kompany, Virgil Van Dijk, César Azpilicueta, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, N’Golo Kante, Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry

Articles by Alex Labidou
  1. Cremaschi, Kochen highlight U.S. U20 World Cup squad

    There are several notable names on coach Marko Mitrović's U.S. men's national team roster for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, announced Friday by the federation. Former Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, now with Parma on loan, leads a squad that features several rising MLS stars, along with Dortmund's highly-touted prospect, Cole Campbell.

  1. 2026 World Cup Trophy

    Holden 'encouraged by the sense of urgency' by WC task force

    Former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden says travel and security are the two major priorities ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The FOX Sports analyst joined former USMNT player Alexi Lalas in consulting with the White House task force for the event, saying, “we want this to be remembered as the best World Cup ever."

  2. Hundreds of clubs added to FIFA's $355M WC payments plan

    Hundreds of soccer clubs worldwide will share in a $355 million fund from FIFA’s multi-billion 2026 World Cup revenues, compensating them for releasing players to national teams during the tournament. FIFA has long paid clubs for World Cup participants but announced this week that the plan now extends to players in qualifiers as well.