{"id":2047765,"date":"2026-07-17T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047765"},"modified":"2026-07-17T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T06:00:00","slug":"why-is-jennifer-hudson-singing-the-u-s-anthem-at-the-world-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047765","title":{"rendered":"Why is Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. anthem at the World Cup final?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/046prkePZLM0uzf0sJUnLWY\/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1784234113.jpg”]<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Home<\/a>><\/span>Life<\/a>><\/span>Digital Culture<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Why is Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. anthem at the World Cup final?<\/h1>\n
Spain and Argentina are playing for the trophy, but FIFA is giving the host country its own moment before kickoff.<\/div>\n
\n
\n \u00a0By\u00a0<\/p>\n
Olivia Tauber<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Mashable<\/p>\n
\n
Olivia Tauber<\/div>\n
Deputy Digital Culture Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Complex, and Interview Magazine. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from NYU and a Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan. She also runs Fan Mail, a weekly pop-culture newsletter.\n <\/div>\n

Read Full Bio<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0on\u00a0

Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a>Share on Twitter<\/span><\/a>Share on Flipboard<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"U.S.<\/p>\n
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The U.S. team did not make the World Cup<\/a> final, but “The Star-Spangled Banner\u201d apparently did.<\/p>\n

On July 14, FIFA announced<\/a> that Grammy award\u2013winning singer and talk show host Jennifer Hudson<\/a> will perform a \u201cspecial rendition\u201d of the anthem before the World Cup final <\/a>on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium (better known as MetLife Stadium). <\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

\n
\n
You May Also Like<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

The answer is less about the two teams playing and more about where they are playing. <\/p>\n

Why is Jennifer Hudson singing the U.S. national anthem?<\/h2>\n

Jennifer Hudson is performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” as part of FIFA’s pre-game ceremony in New Jersey \u2014 a separate event that takes place before the match itself begins on the field.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Since the final is being held on American soil, Hudson\u2019s performance is meant to represent the host country before Spain and Argentina take the field.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

US national anthem for who? https:\/\/t.co\/EvrlPyZ9iP<\/a><\/p>\n

— Sims \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 (@leizenomis) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n