With the United States men's national team eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its semifinal stage. But while many Americans are now neutral spectators, several A-list celebrities have made it clear where their allegiances lie—and it's not with the red, white, and blue.
Among the most vocal is actress Alexandra Daddario, known for blockbusters like "Baywatch" and "San Andreas." Despite being born and raised in New York City, Daddario has been passionately supporting England throughout the tournament, citing her English heritage. Her unabashed fandom has left some fans scratching their heads.
"Love how she's supporting England. But why? Not a complaint," one fan posted on social media, while another simply added, "Reason why English won 😍😍."
Daddario isn't alone in her international loyalties. Actor Channing Tatum, a native of Alabama, has been flying the flag for Norway, thanks in part to a viral Nike World Cup ad that featured him as a lookalike of Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland. Norway, led by Haaland, fell to England in the quarterfinals, but Tatum's support never wavered.
The ad, which Tatum shared on social media, drew widespread attention and even prompted ESPN UK to tweet: "Channing Tatum as Haaland’s lookalike in the Nike World Cup ad 😂." The actor's playful endorsement added a layer of Hollywood glamour to Norway's campaign.
Even athletes from other sports are getting in on the action. U.S. tennis star Amanda Anisimova, who has been sidelined from the WTA tour, jokingly declared her support for England. "We’re not at the tennis anymore ⚽️," she quipped, signaling a temporary shift in focus from the court to the pitch.
The trend raises an intriguing question: Would these celebrities stick with their adopted teams if the U.S. were still in the running? The hypothetical matchup remains just that, but it underscores the global appeal of the World Cup—even among Hollywood's elite.
As the tournament heads into the semifinals, with France facing Spain and England taking on Argentina, the star power behind these teams adds an extra layer of drama. For now, the red carpets of Hollywood seem to have traded stars and stripes for Union Jacks and Nordic flags.
For more on the officiating controversies surrounding the semifinals, check out our analysis of world cup semifinal officiating under fire. And if you're curious about celebrity interactions with players, read about how spider-man star tom holland gets ghosted by erling haaland.
