Democrat Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly showed up to a FIFA World Cup watch party Sunday wearing a Mexican national team jersey — while Team USA was still in the tournament.
Kelly posted the photo to X alongside his wife, former Democrat Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Both wore Mexican green.
“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?”
The post sparked immediate backlash from American soccer fans and pundits who questioned the Arizona senator’s loyalty.
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
Fox News analyst and OutKick founder Clay Travis posted his reaction: “Zero percent chance any American sports fans I know would do this.”
Lieutenant Colonel Robert “Buzz” Patterson, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who once carried the nuclear football for President Bill Clinton, went further.
“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,” Patterson wrote on X.
Kelly previously urged military personnel to resist orders from President Trump — a move critics called treasonous.
Philadelphia talk radio host Nick Kayal called it “a total violation” for a U.S. senator to wear another country’s jersey while America competed in the same tournament.
Former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker replied directly to Kelly’s post: “What a fcking clown. Move to Mexico, asshat.”
Mexico trailed England by two goals before a red card briefly swung momentum. England held on to win 3-2, eliminating Mexico from the World Cup.
Team USA remains in the tournament. Kelly’s jersey choice did not.
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. https://t.co/MqOIF6ieK7
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 6, 2026
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. @Shawn_Farash pic.twitter.com/3OMevObC0z
— Nick Kayal (@NickKayal) July 6, 2026
