Democrat Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly attended a FIFA watch party for the Mexican national team wearing a Mexican jersey, stoking public backlash, especially on social media.
On Sunday, Kelly posted a photo of himself and his wife, Gabby Giffords, a former Democrat Arizona congresswoman, on X, in which they both wore the Mexican green despite the USA still being in the tournament. Kelly captioned the post, “Lots of people out in Tucson to watch Mexico take on England. Tucson and La Rosa sure know how to do the World Cup!”
Lots of people out in Tucson to watch Mexico take on England. Tucson and La Rosa sure know how to do the World Cup! pic.twitter.com/XFqZLXC7Xv
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) July 6, 2026
The post sparked backlash from United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) fans and pundits. Fox News analyst and OutKick founder Clay Travis questioned Kelly’s loyalty to the USMNT. (RELATED: US Soccer’s Folarin Balogun Gets Red Card Suspended, Trump Reportedly Asked FIFA For Review)
“What do we think about US politicians putting on jerseys from another country — in a tournament the US is playing in — and rooting for the foreign country in public? Zero percent chance any American sports fans I know would do this,” Travis posted on X.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Robert “Buzz” Patterson (Retired), a U.S Air Force veteran who was tasked with carrying the so-called nuclear football for former President Bill Clinton, wrote in another post on X, “This guy, who loves to tout his space shit, the same one who told our men and women in uniform to oppose their commander in chief (treason) is a Mexico fan.”
“Tracks,” Patterson added.
Philadelphia-based talk radio host Nick Kayal didn’t hold back either, writing on social media, “Democrat Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona wearing a Mexico jersey for the World Cup as America is in the round of 16. This is a total violation. “
However, some of the most high-profile pushback Sen. Kelly received came from former Atlanta Braves professional baseball relief pitcher John Rocker, who replied to Kelly’s post, stating, “What a fcking clown. Move to Mexico, asshat.”
Mexico trailed by two goals before England center-back Jarell Quansah received a red card. The momentum briefly swung back Mexico’s way, but England held on to eliminate Mexico with a 3-2 win.