The World Cup isn’t just about soccer for Alexi Lalas — it’s about culture, connection, and food.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Fox, the American soccer icon stopped by Next Level Chef for a globally inspired challenge that tasked the remaining contestants with blending the cuisines of two different World Cup countries into one cohesive dish. But for Lalas, the episode represented something bigger than just competition.
“One of the wonderful things about a World Cup is that all of these countries are coming together to celebrate themselves and to celebrate the host countries through the lens of sport,” Lalas told Gold Derby. “Part of what that celebration entails is experiencing the country and the culture, and obviously a huge part of any culture … is the cuisine.”
With only five chefs remaining, the pressure inside Gordon Ramsay’s three-level kitchen reached championship intensity as the contestants battled for a spot in the semifinal.
As always, Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais are looking for chefs who can handle pressure and deliver under impossible circumstances. Because at this stage of the competition, one bad plate can end a championship run.
The Teams
Below are the 15 contestants drafted to compete this season, with previously eliminated chefs crossed out.
| Name | Age | Hometown | Chef Category | Team |
| Connor | 30 | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Pro Chef | Arrington |
| Darian | 34 | Buffalo, N.Y. | Pro Chef | Blais |
| Andy | 37 | Malibu, Calif. | Social Media Chef | Ramsay |
| Cole | 31 | Los Angeles | Pro Chef | Ramsay |
| Gabrielle | 34 | Palm Beach, Fla. | Pro Chef | Ramsay |
The Challenge
The chefs have 30 minutes to create a fusion dish inspired by the cuisines of two different World Cup countries.
Before the cook begins, Alexi gives the contestants a pep talk: “Whether it’s on the soccer field or in the kitchen, if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else is going to. Ultimately, you have to say, ‘I am here for a reason and I’m going to kick some ass.’”
As last week’s winner, Connor uses his Time Token on himself, earning an extra 10 seconds at the platform. Connor and Cole cook on the Top Level, Andy and Darian land in the Middle, and Gabrielle is left battling alone in the Basement.
The chefs choose the following country combinations from the platform:
- Connor: United States and Italy
- Cole: Spain and South Korea
- Andy: Mexico and Canada
- Darian: Argentina and Germany
- Gabrielle: England and Brazil
As Lalas explores the kitchens, he’s struck by the intensity of the competition — especially Gabrielle in the Basement.
“I think you have the opportunity to elevate yourself quicker because there is the expectation that you don’t have the tools and you are at a disadvantage being at that level,” he told Gold Derby. “Talent will win out. Yes, tools are important, but if you have talent, you will compensate for whatever lack of tools that you may be given.”
In the episode, Gabrielle earns one of Lalas’ best compliments while cooking alone downstairs: “It smells of authenticity,” he says. “This is real cooking.”
Top Dish
Not every fusion gamble pays off.
Connor’s fried chicken parmesan with homemade tomato sauce and roasted potatoes earns solid praise, while Cole’s gochujang paella falls slightly short when the rice needs “another 90 seconds,” according to the judges. Nyesha also says she wanted more Korean influence in the dish.
Andy struggles to connect her cuisines with a cumin-scented pork chop, charred pineapple salsa, and elk sausage. Richard says he wouldn’t have known the intended countries without explanation, and the pork is overcooked.
The night’s biggest success comes from Darian, whose spice-rubbed ribeye with bratwurst demi-glace and sauerkraut chimichurri immediately stands out. Alexi loves the dish, while Gordon Ramsay calls the combination “delicious.”
Gabrielle also impresses with fish and chips paired with caramelized sausage peas — a smart England-and-Brazil fusion that nearly steals the win.
“It’s hard because you don’t want to get too simple in that it becomes forgettable,” Lalas told Gold Derby while reflecting on the judges’ debate between Gabrielle and Darian. “But you also need to know what you’re good at and play to your strengths.”
Lalas admits he personally leaned toward Gabrielle’s dish. “I enjoyed the fish and chips,” he says with a laugh. “And look, I got a free meal no matter what, so I wasn’t going to scream and yell too much.”
Still, the judges ultimately gave Darian the Top Dish victory, earning him a spot in next week’s Top Level kitchen and the coveted Time Token advantage. Connor and Gabrielle will cook in the Middle Level next week.
Cook-off
That leaves Cole and Andy facing off in the elimination cook-off. In honor of Lalas’ Greek family roots, the chefs have 25 minutes to create an elevated Greek entrée to keep their Next Level Chef dreams alive.
Elimination
Andy serves a pan-roasted lamb with feta and fig sauce, eggplant, potatoes, and pistachio crumble. The judges praise the seasoning, but the lamb is slightly overcooked.
Cole answers with a honey-spiced rack of lamb and Greek potato salad. The lamb is “juicy,” and the potatoes are cooked perfectly.
The judges ultimately eliminate Andy from the competition. Andy says she was grateful to part of the competition and the way her life has unfolded is “truly an example of what’s possible.”
Next Time
For the first time ever, the chefs won’t know what protein they’re cooking until the challenge begins. Emotions run high in a pressure-packed semifinal where one chef’s journey will end just short of the Season 5 finale.
