Before a single ball was kicked at SoFi Stadium, Dan + Shay delivered a national anthem performance that quickly became one of the first emotional moments of the World Cup. More than 70,000 fans were inside the stadium as the country duo sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the United States’ opening match against Paraguay.
The performance came during the U.S. opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a major moment as the tournament returned to American soil for the first time in 32 years. FIFA had announced Dan + Shay as the performers for the U.S. national anthem, alongside Purahei Soul for Paraguay’s anthem, as part of the Los Angeles pre-match ceremony.
As Dan + Shay began singing, the stadium grew still. U.S. players stood with their hands over their hearts, fans joined in from the stands, and cameras captured emotional faces throughout the crowd as the anthem echoed across SoFi Stadium.
For many watching, the moment felt bigger than a song before a match. It carried the weight of national pride, the excitement of hosting the World Cup again, and the dream of seeing football’s biggest tournament return to the United States after more than three decades.
Online, fans quickly praised the performance, with many calling it one of the best national anthem renditions they had heard. The emotional reaction spread across social media as viewers described the moment as powerful, patriotic, and unforgettable.
The ceremony itself was part of a larger star-filled celebration in Los Angeles, which also featured major performers including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla. But even among the big names and spectacle, Dan + Shay’s anthem stood out because of how simple and emotional it felt.
The performance also set the tone for a strong opening night for the U.S. team. After the anthem and pre-match celebration, the United States began its World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
Still, for many fans, the anthem remained one of the most memorable images of the night. It was the kind of moment that parents tried to explain to children, where the emotion in the stadium said more than words could.
The sight of fans wiping away tears showed how deeply the moment connected with people. It was not only about football, but about history, pride, and the feeling of watching the world gather in America for a tournament decades in the making.
By the time the final note faded, Dan + Shay had given the World Cup one of its first unforgettable moments. The match had not even started yet, but the emotion inside SoFi Stadium had already made the night feel historic.
