The Department of Homeland Security scored a spectacular own goal with a jingoistic post attempting to hype the U.S. men’s team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The department, led by Markwayne Mullin, shared an image of USMNT players running to celebrate a goal during the side’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the United States’ opening match at Los Angeles Stadium.

The image carried the caption: “Defend The Homeland. One Nation. One Homeland. One Team.”

DHS accompanied the post with the words “Our Soil,” alongside an American flag emoji.

OUR SOIL. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/au68JeEz2q

Critics were quick to point out the apparent contradiction with the Trump administration’s hardline anti-immigration agenda, noting that roughly a quarter of the U.S. squad was born outside the country.

They also highlighted how star striker Folarin Balogun would not have U.S. citizenship if birthright citizenship, which President Donald Trump wants to end, is removed.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) asked in response: “Did you know our starting forward is a US citizen through birthright citizenship? You’re trying to strip away that right. Did you know an additional 6 Team USA players were born outside US soil? Did you know half the team are dual citizens?”

@DHSgov Defend the homeland? Millions of Americans who weren’t born on U.S. soil have helped do exactly that.Look at our national soccer team: many players were either born abroad or are the children of immigrants. They wear the same jersey, sing the same anthem, and fight for… https://t.co/mJYinmRRfc

Dear @DHSgov: Did you know our starting forward is a US citizen through birthright citizenship? You’re trying to strip away that right.Did you know an additional 6 Team USA players were born outside US soil?Did you know half the team are dual citizens?Also, Happy Juneteenth https://t.co/8fzsqFEXPc

our soccer players don’t consent to being used in your white nationalist propaganda.

you guys are arguing before scotus right now that your own top goal scorer shouldn’t be eligible for US citizenship https://t.co/99MF2Rv0jK

Embarrassing. It's a football match, not WW3.

This is literally against everything the world cup stands for you useless swine

*native american's soil

You guys can’t do anything without fucking embarrassing yourself.

Shut the fuck up. You don’t get the claim this. Y’all would deport 70% of the team if you could

Absolutely not. You do not get to use Flo Balogun, who is only eligible via birthright citizenship because his mother was denied boarding (too pregnant), to promote the “defence of home soil” when you are actively trying to strip citizens of their birthright citizenship. https://t.co/6CL1zxaIWs

One of the players in this photo, who scored in this World Cup, is eligible for #USMNT because of birthright citizenship https://t.co/prwtNLFT80

Folarin Balogun’s mother was visiting the United States from Nigeria when she gave birth  to her son. That allowed him to be a citizen and play for USMNT https://t.co/gcCBcS3dky

Beyond embarrassing https://t.co/o6U1dGd184

The irony of homeland security using a pucture of balogun whos eligible thru birthright citizenship https://t.co/bzEDGODJs9

it’s really fantastic when a host country insinuates that all visiting nations are, in fact, invaders. keep it up 🇺🇸 🦅 https://t.co/5AOwg0kWcx

I refuse to let these freaks negatively polarize me against rooting for the wonderful U.S. Men’s national team that only is as good as it is because of the birthright citizenship that Trump is trying to destroy https://t.co/Hh7MdOW2Gv

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