Joy Reid says she’s openly rooting for Team USA to lose, hopes an African team wins the World Cup

Joy Reid Says She’s Openly Rooting for Team USA to Lose, Hopes an African Team Wins the World Cup

Joy Reid says she s openly - Joy Reid recently shared her frustration about being unable to fully celebrate the Fourth of July weekend, a time traditionally marked by national pride for many Americans. As a Black individual in the United States, she described feeling a sense of disconnection from the festivities, hinting at deeper reservations about the country’s current state. This sentiment, she implied, extends to her views on Team USA’s recent successes in international competitions, particularly the World Cup. While the nation cheers for its athletes, Reid’s perspective suggests she may be looking forward to their setbacks rather than their triumphs.

Reid’s stance was highlighted when David Zirin, a sports editor at *The Nation*, expressed his own hopes for the United States to falter in the tournament. During a conversation on Reid’s podcast, Zirin joked about rooting for the U.S. to lose to Belgium, a move he argued would prevent President Donald Trump from capitalizing on the victory to further his political agenda. “I find myself really wishing the United States was actually playing a team from the Global South so I could truly root with even more fervor to see them get knocked down a peg,” Zirin explained. “We know how it’s going to be exploited if they go forward in the Cup.” Reid echoed Zirin’s sentiment, responding with a simple “Exactly,” before elaborating on her own motivations.

"I’m rooting for all the African teams," Reid said. "I’m being very open about it. I want one of them to win. I think it would be so great for the Global South for an African team to take home the big prize."

Reid’s comments underscore a broader ideological shift in her support for international sports. While Zirin’s rooting for the U.S. to lose is framed as a political statement, Reid’s advocacy for African teams seems to align with a desire to see the Global South represented more prominently on the world stage. This, she argued, would provide a symbolic victory against systems that have historically favored Western nations. Her openness about this preference suggests a deliberate effort to challenge the status quo, even within the context of a soccer tournament.

Some observers find the situation amusing, noting the irony of a commentator who earns substantial income by critiquing the country she resides in. For example, Reid’s criticism of America’s racial dynamics has been a recurring theme, and now she’s applying the same scrutiny to Team USA’s performance. “It’s certainly one way to thank the audience that made those paychecks possible,” one writer remarked. “No, seriously. That is exactly what her audience, the anti-American scum they are, wants to hear.” The comment reflects a common critique of Reid’s approach: that her advocacy for African teams is not only a political statement but also a strategic move to appeal to her core audience, many of whom are eager to see the U.S. face criticism on the global stage.

What distinguishes Reid from other commentators is her perceived sincerity. While some critics suggest that figures like Jemele Hill, her close friend and fellow media personality, may be performing for effect, Reid’s statements are often framed as genuine. “In many ways, people like Hill are trying to become the next Joy Reid,” one observer noted. “As unfortunate as that may be, their efforts reflect a broader trend of aligning with her perspective to gain traction in the political and cultural discourse.” This dynamic highlights how Reid’s views have become a rallying point for those critical of American policies, even in the realm of sports.

Reid’s frustration with America’s racial inequities appears to fuel her enthusiasm for African teams. She described spending the Fourth of July weekend in introspection, revisiting her belief in the country’s systemic racism. “We have little doubt Reid truly spent the Fourth of July weekend stewing over America, reminding herself how irre