Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is catching heat from American soccer fans after he proudly donned a Mexico jersey and cheered for El Tri during their World Cup match against England. The fiery Round of 16 showdown at Azteca Stadium ended with England prevailing 3-2 in a wild contest that included a red card, multiple penalty kicks, and plenty of drama. But off the pitch, the real controversy was brewing over Kelly's choice of allegiance.
Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy pilot who represents a state with a large Mexican-American population, posted a photo of himself in the green jersey on social media. "Lots of people out in Tucson to watch Mexico take on England. Tucson and La Rosa sure know how to do the World Cup!" he wrote. The post quickly went viral, but not for the reasons he might have hoped.
Many US fans were quick to voice their displeasure, calling the move disrespectful and questioning his patriotism. "A U.S. senator wearing a Mexico jersey. Disgusting," one fan wrote. Another added, "I’m happy for the Mexican people to support their club. And anybody who has Mexican heritage. I think that’s cool. But you are not Mexican. Mexico is a huge rival of United States in soccer. Everybody knows this. I don’t know who advised you to put on a Mexican jersey as an American politician but it’s a horrible look."
The backlash didn't stop there. Some fans pointed to incidents involving Mexican supporters, such as throwing foam at the English team bus and setting off fireworks to disrupt their sleep, as reasons Kelly should have chosen a different side. "The Mexican fans, it turns out, are terrible sportsmen," one critic wrote. "Not a symbol of the World Cup you should be supporting." Others went further, with one user calling him a "traitor" and demanding he be stripped of his military and NASA honors.
While Kelly's move may seem unusual for a US politician, it's not entirely without precedent. Many Americans with ties to other countries often root for those teams during the World Cup. However, the senator's position makes his choice particularly scrutinized. As US fans unite behind Mexico in heated World Cup clash vs England, Kelly's jersey became a lightning rod for debate about national identity and sports fandom.
The incident also highlights the unique role of soccer in the US, where the sport's global nature often blurs traditional lines of loyalty. For Kelly, who was born in New Jersey and now serves Arizona, the jersey may have been a nod to his constituents. But for many fans, it was a step too far. "Wrong jersey. Just another example of complete pandering for votes," one user commented.
As the World Cup continues, the question remains: should politicians show public support for rival teams, or is it a breach of unspoken rules? Kelly's experience suggests that in the world of international soccer, even a senator isn't safe from the passionate opinions of fans. The upcoming Sunday-Monday stretch could be the 2026 World Cup's finest 48 hours, but for now, all eyes are on the fallout from one senator's choice of attire.
Whether Kelly will switch back to a US jersey for the remainder of the tournament remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: in the court of public opinion, his Mexico jersey has already been judged.
