With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway, the United States Men's National Team is stepping onto the global stage once again. But while all eyes are on the pitch Friday night when the US takes on Paraguay, a stunning throwback image of a soccer legend’s wife has stolen the spotlight online.
Bethany Dempsey, married to US soccer icon Clint Dempsey, set social media ablaze after an old photo of her wearing nothing but body paint—a painted-on US World Cup jersey—resurfaced and went viral. The image, originally shared by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit years ago, has fans buzzing once more as patriotic fervor peaks.
“Had they had that in art class I would have been a better student,” one fan joked, while others simply called the photo “insane” and praised her natural beauty. The buzz comes just as the USMNT prepares to open its tournament against Paraguay, a match that carries huge expectations.
Clint Dempsey, one of the greatest American players in history, didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s goals. “Failure is not getting out of the group… that’s definitely a failure,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “You’ve had teams that have gotten to the Round of 16 before. Two of the three World Cups cycles I was a part of, that’s what we got to.”
Dempsey added that he’d love to see the squad push further—into the quarterfinals or even the semifinals. “That would just be amazing,” he said, “but I’m not going to put a ceiling on what they can do.”
The 2026 World Cup marks a new chapter for American soccer, with the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The USMNT opens Group play Friday at 9 p.m. ET, and the pressure is on to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 2014.
In the meantime, the viral body paint photo has sparked a wave of admiration and nostalgia. Bethany Dempsey, who has been by Clint’s side through his storied career (including his iconic goal against Ghana in 2014), is once again turning heads—this time with a patriotic twist.
Fans are already comparing the buzz to other recent viral sports moments, like a DAZN reporter's jaw-dropping swimsuit photo that stole the World Cup spotlight, or Erik Spoelstra's ex-wife setting social media ablaze in a swimsuit photo. But for now, the Dempsey household is enjoying the moment—both on and off the field.
Whether the USMNT can match the heat of Bethany’s viral moment remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: World Cup fever is in full swing, and the Dempseys are at the center of it.
