'Show the whole world': Alex Freeman on Pochettino and USMNT rise

Alex Freeman has emerged as a USMNT breakout star at the 2026 World Cup, scoring in a 2-0 win over Australia and turning his goal celebration into a viral moment. In a Goal.com exclusive, the 21-year-old says Mauricio Pochettino's belief now drives him to prove he can be among the world's best right-backs.

Less than 13 months after nerves ahead of his first cap, Freeman is chasing history on home soil. His rise from relative unknown to World Cup hero has made him one of the tournament's most talked-about young Americans.

Key Takeaways

• Alex Freeman scored in the USMNT's 2-0 World Cup win over Australia, helping seal a place in the knockout round.
• Mauricio Pochettino has publicly backed Freeman as a potential elite right-back, and Freeman says that trust pushes him to "show the whole world."
• Freeman's emotional post-VAR celebration with teammates became one of the defining images of the USMNT's tournament run.
• Freeman and his father, Antonio Freeman, appeared on FOX's After Hours with James Corden on Father's Day to discuss the USMNT.

Why did Alex Freeman's World Cup goal celebration go viral?

Freeman's goal against Australia was reviewed by VAR before being confirmed, building tension before the breakthrough was official. When it stood, he looked back to see teammates charging toward him.

"I ended up running and celebrating with them," Freeman told Goal.com, describing the moment as deeply emotional. The sight of Freeman sprinting while pursued by jubilant teammates quickly spread across social media and became one of the tournament's most memorable celebrations.

Freeman said he was anxious while waiting on the review, then overwhelmed once the goal counted. For a player who dreamed of this stage, the celebration captured both relief and pure joy with his support system.

What did Mauricio Pochettino say about Alex Freeman?

Pochettino's faith in Freeman dates back at least to a pre-Gold Cup friendly against Turkey, when the coach told him the day before that he would start against Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. Freeman understood he was being thrown into the fire — and was eager to impress.

After the USMNT's second consecutive World Cup win, Pochettino's praise was unequivocal. He called Freeman humble, coachable and enjoyable to work with, adding that he has "the potential to be one of the best players in his position in the world."

Freeman responded directly in his Goal.com interview: "If he thinks of me in that way, now I have to show it on the field… show the whole world that I could be one of the best, right?" He pledged to improve daily while Pochettino continues to push him.

How did Alex Freeman go from unknown to USMNT star?

As The Irish Times reported, Freeman was unknown even to some teammates when Pochettino first called him up about a year ago. The right-back has since become a fixture in the squad and a breakout name at the World Cup.

He is the son of Antonio Freeman, a former American football great who won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. While his father built a legacy in the NFL, Alex has carved his own path in soccer — and is now the one making headlines on the global stage.

The family story extended to television when James Corden and Thierry Henry hosted both Freemans on FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours with James Corden on Father's Day, discussing the USMNT and debating who is the better athlete in the family.

What comes next for Alex Freeman at the World Cup?

With the USMNT into the knockouts and belief growing around Pochettino's young side, Freeman's focus remains on matching his coach's lofty assessment on the pitch. Having confidence from Pochettino, he said, simply makes him want to play for the manager.

For more on athletes crossing from one sport's spotlight to another, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Freeman's arc — from nerves at his debut to a viral World Cup moment — suggests the 21-year-old is only getting started.