2028 Democrat Hopeful Shares His World Cup Team

Imagine you’re Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

You were reportedly close to becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2024, and your name is already being discussed as a possible contender for the party’s presidential nomination in 2028. You are also a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces, with a military record that even many critics would acknowledge as honorable.

But politics is different. In that arena, Kelly has already given opponents plenty of material to work with.

He was one of the Democrats featured in the so-called “Seditious Six” video, where six congressional Democrats urged members of the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders. Critics saw the message as a reckless attempt to encourage defiance within the ranks, especially because it was widely interpreted through the lens of President Donald Trump’s return to office.

Kelly has also faced scrutiny over past ties to a defense technology venture with connections to China. Those ties may not prove wrongdoing, but in a presidential campaign, that distinction will not stop opponents from turning them into attack ads. Democrats in a primary could use them. Republicans in a general election almost certainly would.

So, with that background, Kelly would seem to have every reason to be extra careful about public displays of national loyalty.

That brings us to the World Cup.

The tournament is being hosted in North America, with the United States serving as a main host alongside Mexico and Canada. The U.S. team is still alive in the competition, with a Monday night match against Belgium in Seattle. For a politician who may want to run for president, this should be easy territory: support the United States, avoid unnecessary controversy, and do not give your opponents a ready-made image to use against you.

Apparently, that was not the route Kelly chose.

While watching Sunday night’s England-Mexico round-of-16 match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City from Arizona, Kelly drew criticism online after appearing publicly in Mexico gear. The match itself was dramatic. England won 3-2 despite playing with 10 men after Jarell Quansah received a red card. It was the kind of knockout game fans will remember, and there is nothing wrong with watching it or even having a rooting interest.