The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faced significant criticism for a social media post promoting the U.S. men's national soccer team's bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The department's slogan, "Our Soil," accompanied by an American flag emoji and images of the team celebrating, was interpreted by many as jingoistic and contradictory to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The post, which appeared during the team's opening match victory, featured the caption: “Defend The Homeland. One Nation. One Homeland. One Team.”
Critics quickly pointed out that approximately a quarter of the U.S. squad was born outside the United States. They highlighted the case of star striker Folarin Balogun, whose U.S. citizenship would be jeopardized if the administration were to end birthright citizenship, a policy President Donald Trump has sought to eliminate.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) was among the vocal critics, questioning the department's stance. He noted that Balogun is a citizen through birthright, and that several other members of the U.S. team were born abroad or hold dual citizenship. Lieu's comments underscored the perceived hypocrisy of a department tasked with border security using a slogan that seemingly disregarded the contributions of naturalized citizens and immigrants to the national team.
The backlash suggests a disconnect between the department's public messaging and the diverse makeup of the very national team it sought to support.