While the days of soccer being a go-to conservative punching bag for being “socialist” or a “sign of the nation’s moral decay” have largely subsided, right-leaning publications still regularly trot out arguments for why the “US doesn’t care about soccer” or the sport is “unjust and un-American“.

In recent years, the sport has also served as a lighting rod in American culture wars, with the US women’s national team in particular landing in the crosshairs of Donald Trump and the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement for its outspoken progressive players.

With the men’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico rapidly approaching and Donald Trump aggressively promoting the tournament and deepening his relationship with FIFA, the American president is facing one of his toughest sells yet: soccer to his supporters.

Trump’s World Cup?

Despite weighing in on America’s eternal ‘soccer’ vs. ‘football’ debate, most of Trump’s soccer push is not directly related to the sport itself.

“While compared to other countries around the world, soccer is less political here,” Jeffrey Kraus, political scientist at Wagner College, New York, told DW. “This upcoming World Cup has in many ways taken a political tone.”

“There’s a sense that FIFA has embraced President Trump, which certainly associates the tournament with the president,” he continued.

Trump’s ever-intensifying relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FIFA’s partnership with the president’s new Board of Peace have helped make Trump the face of a continent-spanning World Cup.

For some conservatives, Trump’s enthusiasm for soccer doesn’t feel out of place given his approach to popular sports generally.

“He’s always been a sports guy – just look at his connection to UFC and wrestling,” Chris Vance, President of the UCLA Young Republicans, told DW. “He’s always been about entertainment, he was in that business a long time, so it makes sense.”

Evolving soccer culture

While American soccer isn’t generally as overtly politicized as in many parts of Europe, its comparably young and immigrant-heavy fanbase tends to be more progressive.

Anti-ICE protests have been a major point of contention among Major League Soccer (MLS) fans and league officials since Trump’s reelection.

Ryan Shirah, a member of the ‘American Outlaws’ US National Team supporters group who’s attended over 120 men’s and women’s US matches, argues that though most fans avoid politics in the stands, they broadly lean in one direction.

“I won’t shy away from the fact that there’s a humanistic element there — I think most soccer fans in America tend to lean on the more progressive, human rights-focused side of things,” Shirah told DW.

Shirah said political tensions in the supporters section were highest in the immediate wake of Trump’s first election, where there was concern Trump’s anti-Mexican campaign rhetoric would spill into the stands at a USA vs Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen, if people would be trying to chant, ‘build that wall’,” Sirah explained. “It’s something we didn’t want to bring into our atmosphere and we kept out. Generally, we haven’t really had an issue.”

Soccer’s continued growth means the political makeup of its American fans is likely to shift.

“Since the US hosted the 1994 World Cup, soccer has become a bigger part of American life,” said political scientist Kraus. “Much of the population growth since the 90s has been through immigration, and many of the folks who come here brought their love of the ‘beautiful game’.”

Growing Republican support among Latinos in the 2024 election demonstrates that the political views of immigrants, many of whom are driving the sport’s growth in the US, can evolve and potentially change US soccer culture in turn.

And while the arrival of Lionel Messi in Miami has brought wider attention to the sport, organizers are hoping the 2026 World Cup can further propel soccer into the American mainstream. As it gets bigger, soccer will increasingly appeal to conservative fans.

“I live on Staten Island, one of the most suburban and conservative boroughs in New York City. When I was younger, on Saturdays you’d drive around and the athletic fields would be filled with kids playing baseball. Now it’s soccer,” said Kraus. It is perhaps of note that Staten Island is the only NYC borough won by Donald Trump in 2024.

The next MAGA sporting sensation?

Vance, who notes he’s a bit of an outlier among his peers due to his interest in soccer, is excited for the US to play World Cup matches in Los Angeles.

“It’s cool to host it here. I think of it almost as a conservative sport because it’s so community based, or at the very least not really as a politically-leaning sport,” he said.

Organized supporters like Shirah tend not to dwell too much on potential political differences with fellow fans as long as they can maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the stadium.

“We haven’t had a major tournament since the election, but why have that (offensive) nonsense into the stadium if we don’t have to? So far, so good,” he said.

“We don’t care what you do or what podcasts you listen to after the 90 minutes. If you’re passionate about the team and not using slurs or anything, that’s fine. We all have walks of life, and I think that’s what makes America great.”

First, the US will have to have a successful run at the World Cup to make the most of a generational opportunity. If they can do that, existing supporters may well have to worry about the politics of new fans — a problem many of them likely wouldn’t mind.

Edited by: Jonathan Harding

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has broken with recent tradition and made the right decision when it comes to letting Casemiro leave – despite most supporters wanting him to stay

It feels like a crime against football to disagree with Bryan Robson. He is a Manchester United legend after all. One of the greatest midfielder of his generation, a thoroughly decent bloke whose opinions deserve the utmost respect.

But when it comes to his feelings towards Casemiro, Robson is wrong. Robson has called on Michael Carrick to ensure the club does not allow Casemiro to leave.

“I would encourage Casemiro to stay,” he said, “he’s had a really good season this year. He’s a top player. He’s got a great football brain. He’s a really good passer of the ball. He heads the ball well and when he goes in to tackle, he means it.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

“You don’t stay at Real Madrid for the amount of years he did and win Champions League titles if you’re not an absolute top player and people see what you’re really good at.”

Ever since announcing he would be leaving Old Trafford in the summer, Casemiro has indulged in a long goodbye with United supporters. During United’s crucial 3-1 home win over Aston Villa, the Brazilian was serenaded with pleas to do “one more year”. But what Robson & Co are overlooking, is the fact Casemiro is not the future.

He is 34 and costing United a small fortune. And it’s the precise reason co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has decided to cut ties with him. When Ratcliffe and his INEOS group purchased a stake in United, one of the first things he did was order an interval review of the squad, including each player’s contract.

And what jumped out at Ratcliffe was the fact Casemiro was earning close to £400,000-a-week. Ratcliffe knew Casemiro was a world class footballer. What he couldn’t get his head around was why United had chosen to invest £70m plus wages in someone who was 30, and had had fitness issues in Madrid.

In short, there was a reason Real were prepared to sell Casemiro. He was costing them too much money and was considered past his best. So Real’s indulgence became United’s. Casemiro has served his purpose at United. He’s been a short term fix, not a long-term solution.

Questioning the decision to let him leave shows a lack of vision and foresight. Two issues which have haunted the club in recent times. For once, Ratcliffe has got a decision right. United need fresh legs in midfield next season, and have to sign someone who the manager can build his team around.

Someone who will add value to the team for a long time to come. United need to look forward – not back.

The UEFA Champions League features a clash between two of its biggest teams this week as Real Madrid lock horns with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side in a crucial knockout encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Real Madrid won the first leg by a comprehensive 3-0 margin and will look to maintain their lead this week.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Preview

Real Madrid are currently in second place in the La Liga standings and have been fairly impressive so far this season. Los Blancos thrashed Elche by a 4-1 margin in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar scoreline this week.

Manchester City, on the other hand, are in second place in the Premier League table at the moment and have not been at their best this season. The home side was held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by West Ham United over the weekend and will need to work hard to take it up a notch in this fixture.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Real Madrid have a slight edge over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League and have won seven out of the 18 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Manchester City’s six victories.
• Real Madrid have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, with their only defeat during this period coming by a 1-0 margin at the hands of Getafe in a La Liga match earlier this month.
• Manchester City have remained winless in three of their last four matches in all competitions and have played out draws in two of these games, with their only victory during this period coming by a 3-1 margin against Newcastle United in the FA Cup earlier this month.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction

Real Madrid have come into their own over the past week and have managed to score seven goals in their last two games. Federico Valverde scored a brilliant hat-trick in the first leg and will look to make a similar impact this week.

Manchester City have stuttered on multiple fronts this month and cannot afford to put a foot wrong in this fixture. Both teams are evenly matched at the moment and could play out a draw in this game.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Draw

Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes

Tip 3: Real Madrid to score first – Yes