The Pressure of Patriotism Persists

The Pressure of Patriotism Persists

Almost two years ago, I wrote an article titled “The Pressure of Patriotism.” I wrote about the difficulty that comes with performing for your country on the highest stage, especially when that country’s leaders do not perform well for their people.

That article was one of the most important pieces that I’ve ever written. It was vital for me to be candid and honest about the state of American politics and how that impacted the 2024 Olympics.

​

Two years later, America is in a significantly worse state than it was in 2024. Yet the United States has been given the opportunity to host the 2026 World Cup. More than ever, in one of the most turbulent years of the country’s history, and ironically, America’s 250th anniversary —

​

THE PRESSURE OF PATRIOTISM PERSISTS.

​

—

Team USA heads into their second straight World Cup with an unfathomable amount of pressure on their backs. 2022 was a very solid campaign for the group; they got past the group stage and had electric moments, including a 0–0 draw to England.

​

“When we went back from that, guys were like, ‘Holy s — -.’ They’re like, ‘You guys are a really good team, very good team,’” Team USA defender Tim Ream said. “I think that’s when it clicked for a lot of people.”

Their run eventually ended in a 3–1 loss to the Netherlands. That was Team USA’s first time making it past the group stage in eight years, and in the past twelve years, America has evolved to take soccer seriously. They have invested around $300 million into the program, and as Tim Ream said, the world recognizes the USA as a very good team.

​

From an on-field perspective, there’s pressure. There’s a belief that this team can go far, and American fans are no longer content with getting past the group stage; a round of 32 win is “the expectation.” A round of 16 win would tie the USA for their best World Cup finish ever, and it is a real possibility.

​

“There’s nobody putting more expectation and more pressure on us than ourselves, and that’s the way it should be. This is completely different from anything any of us has experienced,’” said Ream. “So take it in and embrace everything that it is, because it’s so unique, it’s so special, and it’s not something we’ll ever be doing again.”

​

This is a very talented team, with centerback Chris Richards returning after missing 2022, paired with Antonee Robinson and Sergio Dest on the back line. Weston McKinnie, Tyler Adams, and World Cup newcomer Malik Tillman control the midfield, and the attack gets fun, with ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic and a young star in Folarin Balogun. They are well-equipped to handle the pressure.

​

—

Off the field, there’s even more pressure. Team USA faces scrutiny from an administration known for divisive rhetoric and restrictive policies, which have included family separation at borders, responses to incidents of racial violence, and hardline stances on immigration. These policies have made supporting Team USA complicated for some fans, as they grapple with the tension between national pride and political disagreement.

​

It would be ignorant to say that Team USA deserves success in the midst of one of the country’s most brutish presidential campaigns, yet it would be further ignorant to act as if a poor or good result in this World Cup will change the problems with America as a country.

​

A majority of Americans aren’t oblivious to the Trump administration’s discrepancies. However, on Friday, Sofi Stadium will be packed with over 50,000 fans, most of them presumably donning the red, white, and blue for Team USA’s opening game against Paraguay.

​

There’s a protruding excitement surrounding Team USA. There is always excitement surrounding the World Cup, and supporting the hard-working men and women of both USA soccer programs does not mean you approve of the abhorrent decisions of the Trump administration.

​

Yet, during times of turmoil, sports have always pulled America together. Immediately, the NFL’s New York Jets vs. the New England Patriots game two weeks after the 9/11 attacks comes to mind, where chants of “U-S-A!” roared out from the crowd.

​

I also think of the New Orleans Saints’ 23–3 routing of the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina wrecked the state of Louisiana. More recently, the NBA’s bubble gave the world something to enjoy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the country together through the return of basketball.

​

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does,” famously said Civil Rights Activist and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

​

So there is added pressure, pressure for this team to bring this country together through perseverance, pressure to succeed, and then use that success to stand up against Donald Trump and the current state of American politics, rather than agreeing with him.

​

—

When I wrote the Pressure of Patriotism, the aforementioned point I aimed to get across was that players, specifically players of color, should not be expected to give their all for a country that does not treat them with the same respect.

​

Entering the 2026 World Cup, Team USA must perform at its best to help unite the country. An elite showing in this World Cup would be the epitome of the work that Team USA has put in to build up this program, and it would also be the epitome of how sport can bring this country together.

​

Though it’s unfortunate that the United States’ hosting of the World Cup is overshadowed by harsh immigration policies restricting referees, fans, and team staff members’ ability to enter America for the tournament.

Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa and passport, as a Trump administration official announced Artan was allegedly associated with “suspected members of terrorist organizations.”

World Cup tickets were revoked from Iranian fans, as there is nowhere in the country where they can obtain travel visas. Four countries competing at the World Cup are on travel bans, Haiti, Iran, Senegal and the Ivory Coast.

Kouadio Adonis from the Ivory Coast’s fan association, the National Committee for the Support of the Elephants says: “It’s a form of segregation that doesn’t dare speak its name, but the proof is there.

“No European country has faced this kind of restriction. Why Africa?” said Adonis.

​

“I view the 2026 World Cup as a massive paradox,” said Jules Boykoff, a professor and the author of Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing and the FIFA Greed Machine. “On one hand, it has more teams than ever participating. On the other hand, because of the policies of the Trump administration, it looks more like a World Cup of exclusion than inclusion.”

​

It’s an unfathomable situation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the players. The team USA fans are overwhelmingly excited, yet die-hard fans of other countries cannot even travel to America to watch their favorite teams play.

That is pressure. Immense pressure for Team USA to step up for their country in this time of extreme turmoil, and pressure for players from other countries to play at their best as the entire world watches them. Unfortunately, some countries will only be able to watch from home. It is an incredible time to be a sports fan, spoiled by the fact that it is a terrible time to be an American.

Yet, as the 2026 World Cup kicks off later today, the games will be played, the flags will be waved, and the fans will cheer, while some of the best athletes in the world give it everything they have to hoist the World Cup Trophy, and once again, that’s –

​

THE PRESSURE OF PATRIOTISM.