The U.S. team did not make the World Cup final, but "The Star-Spangled Banner” apparently did.On July 14, FIFA announced that Grammy award–winning singer and talk show host Jennifer Hudson will perform a “special rendition” of the anthem before the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium (better known as MetLife Stadium). The announcement immediately left some soccer fans asking the same question: Why is the American anthem being performed at a game that does not include the United States?
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The answer is less about the two teams playing and more about where they are playing. Why is Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. national anthem?Jennifer Hudson is performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" as part of FIFA's pre-game ceremony in New Jersey — a separate event that takes place before the match itself begins on the field.The event, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before kickoff at the stadium in New Jersey, is designed to celebrate the tournament's journey across three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Since the final is being held on American soil, Hudson’s performance is meant to represent the host country before Spain and Argentina take the field.Not everyone online is convinced by that explanation. After all, the United States is sharing hosting duties with Canada and Mexico, which has left some fans wondering why their national anthems are not being performed, too.
