‘Pathetic’: U.S. National Anthem sparks outrage at World Cup

Ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina, the United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, was performed in front of the packed crowd. It was a controversial decision to perform the national anthem of a team that was not involved in the match, and it did not go over well with the fans.

During the pregame ceremonies, the U.S. national anthem was indeed performed, with two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson singing the ballad, but fans were not necessarily happy to hear The Star-Spangled Banner, given that the United States was not playing in the match.

World Cup Controversies

While both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have praised this as a highly successful World Cup, not everyone has felt that way.

The United States and President Donald Trump have faced a lot of criticism throughout the tournament, as fans have expressed frustration at FIFA’s decision to allow Trump to hand the trophy to the victors following the World Cup Final, the treatment of Iranian players throughout the tournament, the Americanization of the sport with commercials during “hydration breaks,” an extended Super Bowl style halftime show at the final, and championship rings, and most notably, Trump’s involvement in getting the red card suspension to Folarin Balogun overturned.

The Balogun red card situation sparked such widespread outrage throughout the international soccer community that it sounds like there is at least a chance cost Infantino a re-election bid.

National Anthem Sparks Outrage

Amidst all the controversy surrounding Trump and the United States’ involvement in the World Cup, fans were not happy to hear the U.S. national anthem performed at a match that did not even involve the U.S. team.

“America is so main character why is the national anthem being played in the final america isn’t in?” one fan asked in a post on X.

“USA national anthem in a final where they aren’t playing. Never take the world cup back there again. Pathetic,” someone else added.

“American national anthem and not canada’s or mexico’s despite all 3 being host nations,” another fan added.

“No disrespect to Jennifer Hudson but no one wants to hear that garbage national anthem,” someone else wrote.

“Actually wish England made the world cup final now so that they could boo the US national anthem,” another fan commented.

“Why are we being subjected to the obnoxious american national anthem at a game they’re not playing in at a tournament with two other hosts,” someone else added.

Needless to say, many fans were not happy that the United States was involved in that way.

The post ‘Pathetic’: U.S. National Anthem sparks outrage at World Cup appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.