How does national identification influence preferences for government-led redistribution? Existing theories propose competing predictions: some argue that heightened national identity reduces support for redistribution by prioritizing national interests over class-based ones, while others suggest that national identity fosters social solidarity and trust in reciprocity, enhancing support for redistributive policies. We use survey data from the European Social Survey (2002–2023) and the quasi-exogenous timing of international football matches as shocks to national identification to bring causal evidence to this debate. Using instrumental variable (IV) and regression discontinuity (RDD) designs, we show that heightened national identification increases support for redistribution. This effect holds across income groups but is particularly pronounced among high-income individuals, suggesting that national identification fosters a sense of shared obligation that transcends class boundaries. Our findings shed light on how nation-building efforts may enhance social cohesion and bolster support for redistributive policies, even in an era of rising economic inequality and diversity.