Jennifer Hudson delivered a performance of the American national anthem at the World Cup final in New Jersey, drawing mixed reactions from fans. The EGOT winner took the stage at MetLife Stadium before the match between Argentina and Spain.
While Hudson's vocals were widely praised, some fans expressed confusion about the performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner" given that the United States men's national team had been eliminated from the tournament nearly two weeks prior. Despite the team's performance, Hudson's rendition was met with applause and admiration from many watching.
Hudson, an acclaimed actress and singer, was a notable booking for FIFA's pre-game festivities. Her performance was contrasted with other pregame acts, some of which faced criticism. For the occasion, Hudson wore a white suit accented with red, white, and blue stitching. She stood on a central plinth as flags were displayed behind her.
Social media commentary reflected the divided sentiment, with many praising her "beautiful voice" and "powerful performance," while others questioned the appropriateness of the anthem's performance given the context of the US team's absence from the later stages of the competition. Other performers at the event included Post Malone and Swae Lee, with a halftime show planned featuring Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber.