Joy Reid's Guest Hoping Team USA Loses to Prevent Trump's 'Exploitation' of Victory

Soccer and Politics: A Complicated Match

If you’re not feeling overwhelmingly critical of the left, perhaps this will pique your interest.

On July 1, coinciding with U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun receiving a red card during the U.S. Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, former MSNBC host Joy Reid hosted MSNBC sports editor Dave Zirin on her podcast.

In their discussion, Zirin expressed that he isn’t supporting the U.S. outright, instead hoping to see the country “hit the nail on the head,” while also worrying that any victory might be “exploited” by President Trump.

“If the U.S. were facing a team from the Global South, I’d have preferred to cheer more vigorously for them and see them take the win, as we know how such success can be seized upon if they progress in the tournament,” Zirin remarked. “Let’s be straight about it.”

Reid laughed in agreement, prompting Zirin to elaborate.

“The World Cup is a different kind of politics. It’s informed by and created within a political context due to the inequalities between countries. This sport captures a global audience,” he explained. “When you layer the complexities of colonialism and empire onto this massive viewership, it’s hard to separate the two, which adds to the discomfort.”

Reid voiced her support for an African team in the competition.

“I’m upfront about this. I’m rooting for the African team. I genuinely want one to win. It would be a significant moment for the Global South to see an African team take home a major title,” Reid expressed. “Apologies, but I really hope this occurs; it would do wonders for our collective spirits.”

Since Reid’s statement, all African teams except Egypt and Morocco have been eliminated from the tournament.

If Zirin was anxious about Trump using the USMNT’s success as a political tool on July 1, he must be feeling even more uneasy after Trump recently intervened with FIFA, resulting in Balogun’s red card suspension and qualifying the U.S. team for a Round of 16 match against Belgium.