The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was supposed to be a celebration of global soccer, but Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the U.S. national anthem on Sunday quickly became the talk of the internet—for all the wrong reasons.
The 44-year-old singer, known for her powerhouse vocals, took a dramatic, slow-paced approach to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” drawing sharp reactions from fans who felt the performance missed the mark. While her voice was undeniably strong, the tempo shift left many viewers scratching their heads.
Social media erupted almost immediately after Hudson's performance. One fan posted, "Is Jennifer Hudson trying to make this the SLOWEST rendition of the American national anthem ever?" Another wrote bluntly, "It was not good at all." The criticism wasn't limited to the pace; some fans accused her of butchering the classic tune entirely. "Jennifer Hudson absolutely butchering the national anthem," one comment read, while another called it "possibly the cringiest rendition of the anthem ever."
Fox Sports shared a full video of the performance, which only amplified the debate. The backlash echoes recent controversies, including when World Cup fans vowed to boo the U.S. national anthem at the final, though no audible booing was reported during Hudson's set.
Beyond the musical critique, a separate wave of criticism questioned why the U.S. anthem was being performed at all, given that neither the United States nor its men's national team was playing in the final. The match featured Argentina and Spain, two non-American teams. One frustrated fan wrote, "Jennifer Hudson. Great singer .. but don’t like all that American national anthem stuff at the World Cup Final. Don’t care if it’s there. Their team ain’t in the final." Another echoed, "Why is Jennifer Hudson singing the American national anthem at the FIFA World Cup championship with Argentina vs Spain again???"
This isn't the first time the World Cup final has stirred anthem-related drama. Earlier in the tournament, Argentina fans booed England's anthem in a heated moment, and the closing ceremony also drew fire when World Cup fans roasted IShowSpeed's closing ceremony performance. The tournament has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and Sunday's anthem performance only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the online backlash, the crowd at MetLife Stadium applauded Hudson after she finished. Still, the internet's verdict was clear: many felt her artistic liberty with the anthem's tempo was a misstep for such a high-profile event. Hudson, an Oscar and Grammy winner, has long been celebrated for her vocal range and emotional delivery, but this performance has divided fans.
As the dust settles, the question remains: was it a bold artistic choice that fell flat, or simply a performance that didn't resonate with the global audience? Sound off in the comments below.
