The US men's national soccer team is on the verge of history, matching their best-ever modern-era World Cup run after a win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to The Guardian. The team is playing with more quality and verve than ever before at this stage, thrusting American soccer into the national spotlight.
For longtime US soccer fans, the question of whether to support this team is barely a question at all, akin to asking whether to breathe, the report notes. Yet some Americans express reluctance to cheer, citing discomfort with their country's actions.
Sports have a unique power to bring joy and unity, the article argues, suggesting that reservations about national conduct should not prevent fans from embracing the team's achievement. The debate reflects broader cultural divides over patriotism and sports.
No polling data was available in the sources. The political significance of the World Cup run remains limited, though it touches on themes of national identity and social cohesion.
France, meanwhile, remains the undisputed favorite in the tournament, with all six power-ranking judges placing Les Bleus at No. 1, per The Guardian. Kylian Mbappé stated he wants to 'enjoy this World Cup to the fullest.'