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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Andrew Lawrence

The World Cup is undressing the myth of Trump’s American homogeneity

Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the United States’ win over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on 12 June 2026.
Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the United States’ win over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on 12 June 2026. Photograph: Sarah Stier/FIFA/Getty Images

Following the Department of Homeland Security on social media is a bit like wandering through a casino at 4am. Sooner or later, you’ll see something that makes you go: How did we get here?

There was one of those moments earlier this month. Days after the US opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 romp over Paraguay, DHS marked the occasion by posting an image of Chris Richards, Sergiño Dest and Folarin Balogun exulting beneath the headline “DEFEND THE HOMELAND” and the caption “OUR SOIL”.

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