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LAFC’s Hugo Lloris still competing at an elite level

April 3, 2026

No goalkeeper has more FIFA World Cup experience than Hugo Lloris.

During more than a decade and a half of being called up for international duty, the French icon grew accustomed to competing against the world for the biggest stakes in the most intense environments.

However, after 20 World Cup appearances from South Africa to Brazil, Russia to Qatar, Lloris knew that when he moved to Major League Soccer in 2024 his international days were done.

Despite continuing to play at an elite level in 2026, for the first time in 16 years Lloris will not join the No. 1-ranked Les Bleus when the quadrennial World Cup returns across the United States, Canada and Mexico this June.

“Honestly, I did everything that I had to do,” Lloris said. “Even more than that. I’m really satisfied.”

Rather than being consumed with friendlies against Brazil and Colombia the past two weeks, Lloris enjoyed six days off to recharge for the next phase of the Los Angeles Football Club’s schedule, beginning Saturday at home against struggling Orlando City SC (1-4-0, 3 points).

“Right now I’m focused on my family, so it gave me an opportunity to rest as well and to look after myself,” Lloris said. “And even more important than that is to share this time, this free time, with my family. So that’s priceless, you know, for my kids.”

Lloris still pays attention to results and knows what’s happening in the footballing world, but “I’m not missing it,” he shared.

Playing at the standard that put him in two World Cup finals, lifting the 13-pound gold trophy as French captain in 2018, Lloris made history in his third campaign with LAFC, becoming the first goalkeeper in MLS to begin a season with five consecutive shutouts. Over that stretch, he owns the best expected goals efficiency by a keeper, denying all 5.6 xG mustered by the opposition.

“Hugo didn’t have to do five saves every game, but he had to do at least one big one,” LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “And when a goalkeeper is ready to do one big one a game, that’s very positive for a team.”

First in the Western Conference at 4-0-1, tied with Nashville in the Supporters’ Shield race with 13 points, and days away from the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal against the defending champion Cruz Azul, LAFC has shown a penchant for competing hard, which pleases Dos Santos.

As a group, the physical output in front of Lloris – running, sprinting, closing down opponents – is 30% higher than last year, Dos Santos said. A hybrid back-four formation has worked well denying transition moments and will continue to be employed by LAFC for now.

Returning from the international break versus Orlando, which comes in with a -12 goal differential after conceding 17 times, including five last time out at Nashville, is “a high red alert for us to not bring our guard down,” the coach said.

Orlando and longtime manager Oscar Pareja mutually agreed to part ways after the third game, elevating Martín Perelman to interim head coach. The visitors will attempt to dig themselves out of a hole before Lloris’ good friend, forward Antoine Griezmann, arrives in Florida in the summer.

LAFC also believes its ceiling is levels above what they’ve shown so far, even if they have outscored opponents 18-3 in all competitions.

Effectiveness at both ends with set pieces is an obvious area for growth, as is production from stars Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, who both went cold since fast starts.

Like Lloris, Bouanga got a couple of extra days off thanks to a rare absence from international duty for Gabon. The three time 20-goal scorer beat an opposing goalkeeper just once in LAFC’s last seven games. He was not fully healthy in March, so rest was important, Dos Santos said.

Son, of course, joined South Korea during the break. He did not score in a pair of friendlies and has not had a goal for LAFC in eight consecutive matches.

“I don’t feel that both players have reached their 100 percent yet for different reasons,” Dos Santos said, “and I think when they will reach it it’s going to help the team a lot.”

The attack is soon reinforced by Jeremy Ebobisse and Jacob Shaffelburg. Last year’s captain, Aaron Long, is also on track to bolster a strong contingent of center backs.

The main question moving forward is midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who remains out due to a leg injury. During the break, he travelled to Portugal to work with the medical staff for FC Porto, which loaned the Canadian to LAFC through the end of June.

Dos Santos expects Eustáquio to return, fully recovered, at some point in April.

ORLANDO CITY SC AT LAFC

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: BMO Stadium

TV/Radio: Apple TV/710 AM, 980 AM, 1230 AM

Orange County Register

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LAFC’s Hugo Lloris still competing at an elite level

ORLANDO CITY SC AT LAFC

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