Jesús Ortiz Paz, known by his stage name JOP and lead singer of Fuerza Regida, once again found himself at the center of the conversation on social media, though this time it wasn’t because of a new music release, but rather because of a series of buzzy posts related to the U.S. men’s national soccer team that sparked mixed reactions among his followers.
The singer shared several photos on his Instagram Stories expressing his support for the U.S. team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the post that drew the most attention was a photo in which he appears wearing the official Stars and Stripes jersey while kissing the team crest—an image that quickly went viral on platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Within a matter of hours, the photos garnered thousands of comments and reactions, becoming one of the most talked-about topics among fans of regional Mexican music.
Is the criticism directed at the lead singer of Fuerza Regida justified?
The post sparked a wave of criticism from some users, who questioned the artist’s stance given his close connection to Mexican culture through his music.
Fuerza Regida has established itself as one of the most successful groups in Mexican regional music, a genre deeply rooted in Mexico’s traditions, customs, and heritage. For this reason, several internet users found it contradictory that one of its leading figures would publicly show such obvious support for the U.S. national team.
Among the most widely shared comments were messages in which some users pointed out that the singer has built much of his career thanks to Mexican audiences and the cultural identity he conveys in his songs. There were even those who claimed that the artist “benefits from Mexico” while expressing a greater affinity for the United States.
Although most of the negative reactions focused on that argument, other users simply expressed their surprise at how effusively JOP celebrated the U.S. team.
Not all the comments were negative. Many fans defended the singer and pointed out that Jesús Ortiz Paz was born in the United States, so they consider it completely natural for him to support that country’s national team.
The artist’s supporters pointed out that a person can identify with more than one culture and that performing regional Mexican music does not mean they have to renounce their nationality or their favorite sports.
In addition, they emphasized that JOP himself has never hidden his origins or his family history, which is why they considered the criticism that arose from a simple social media post to be exaggerated.
So far, the singer has not issued any statements explaining the meaning of the photograph, nor has he directly addressed the controversy.
A photo taken during the World Cup
According to information shared by various social media users, the photo was reportedly taken near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the venue where the match between the United States and Paraguay was recently played as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Many interpreted the image as an unmistakable sign of JOP’s support for the U.S. team, especially because he kissed the team crest on his jersey—an action that in sports often signifies a strong sense of belonging to a team.
Although the singer simply shared the photo without adding any explanatory message, that didn’t stop an intense debate from breaking out on social media.
The discussion also brought back to the table an issue that has been with Jesús Ortiz Paz since the beginning of his career: his dual cultural identity.
The leader of Fuerza Regida was born in 1997 in Riverside, California, and is therefore a U.S. citizen. However, in various interviews, he has spoken of the pride he feels for his Mexican roots, especially his family ties to the states of Michoacán and Colima.
That combination of influences has been one of the keys to Fuerza Regida’s success. Since its formation in 2017, the group has focused on fusing the traditional sounds of regional Mexican music with urban and contemporary elements inspired by Latino communities living in the United States.
The project quickly resonated with millions of people on both sides of the border, making the group one of the leading names in contemporary corridos and today’s Mexican regional music scene. Thanks to this style, Fuerza Regida has dominated digital platforms, headlined major festivals, and embarked on successful international tours, solidifying a career that continues to grow while, at the same time, its members remain at the center of conversations that extend far beyond music.