Why are they performing the US national anthem at World Cup final? FIFA explains

The 2026 World Cup final includes top-tier competition and performers for halftime and the closing ceremonies.

It will also have the U.S. national anthem. Yes, that's right.

The American national anthem will be sung ahead of kickoff on Sunday, July 19. Before Spain and Argentina meet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 3 p.m. ET, "The Star-Spangled Banner" will be belted out.

If you're here, you might be thinking: Why are they doing the USA's national anthem at the World Cup final? That's a good question. USA TODAY is here to provide the answer.

Here's why the U.S. national anthem will be sung at the World Cup final:

Why are they doing the US national anthem at the World Cup final?

On July 14, FIFA announced that the U.S. national anthem would be sung at the World Cup final. EGOT winner and artist Jennifer Hudson has been tapped to sing a "special rendition" ahead of kickoff and a packed halftime performance and closing ceremony.

“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer of FIFA World Cup 2026, said in a release.

Hudson performing the American national anthem breaks with World Cup precedent. Typically, a host country will not have its national anthem played or performed during the final. That honor goes to the nations participating.

What's more, FIFA hasn't announced if the national anthems for Canada and Mexico, the tournament's other host nations, will be played or sung. It's also currently unclear how FIFA decided the U.S. national anthem would be performed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why are they performing the US national anthem at World Cup final? FIFA explains