The California Democratic Party drew criticism Thursday after posting a message on social media that said, “You’re not allowed to watch the World Cup if you’ve ever voted against immigration.”
The post quickly sparked backlash online, arriving just as Americans from across the political spectrum were preparing to watch Team USA begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup run against Paraguay.
The comment was widely mocked on X, where critics questioned both the timing and the logic behind it.
“Every one of those other Countries has its own immigration policy, where you can’t just cross the border. The hypocrisy is crazy,” one user wrote.
Another person responded, “Why? I don’t even understand the logic to this post.”
Others posted sarcastic replies, accusing the party of trying to inject politics into an event many fans see as a rare chance for Americans to rally around the same team.
You’re not allowed to watch the World Cup if you’ve ever voted against immigration.
— California Democratic Party (@CA_Dem) June 11, 2026
The California Republican Party also responded to the post, arguing that the World Cup should not be used as a political talking point.
“The World Cup is a beautiful event that brings people together from around the world and should have nothing to do with politics,” California Republican Party Communications Manager Francisco Bedoya said. “Rather than trolling on social media, they should put their phones down, touch some grass, and enjoy this historic World Cup. But, if Democrats want to make it political and continue to divide Americans, then we’re here to call out their hypocrisy.”
The controversy comes as the United States helps host the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1994. This year’s tournament is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the United States carrying the largest share of the schedule.
Of the tournament’s 104 matches, 78 are being played in the U.S. across 11 cities. The most high-profile rounds, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, are also scheduled to take place in the United States.
Team USA opens its tournament Friday against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match begins at 9 p.m. ET, or 6 p.m. local time.
Not very inclusive of you guys. https://t.co/pb4qSNI1ve
— California Republican Party (@CAGOP) June 11, 2026
The opener is an important early test for the Americans in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey. A strong start would give the U.S. a better path toward advancing out of the group stage, while a loss would immediately raise the pressure heading into the next match.
For many fans, the World Cup is one of the few sporting events that can cut across political lines, even briefly. That is why the California Democratic Party’s post hit a nerve with critics, who argued that the tournament should be a moment for national support rather than partisan arguments.
The backlash also reflects the broader tension around immigration politics in the United States, where even cultural and sporting events can quickly become part of the debate. In this case, a single social media post was enough to turn a World Cup conversation into another political fight.
