Pop sensation Tate McRae brought a dose of pop-star energy to Friday's World Cup quarterfinal between Belgium and Spain, and the internet had plenty to say about it.
The Canadian singer, who skyrocketed to fame with her 2024 viral hit "Greedy," was given the honor of presenting the Adidas Trionda match ball at SoFi Stadium. Her appearance at the high-stakes match immediately set social media ablaze.
"I thought I was seeing things," one fan posted on X, capturing the surprise many felt.
Another fan questioned the timing, writing, "Canada recently played in LA but she couldn’t come out and deliver the ball then. It’s so random for a Spain and Belgium game lol. She sold herself to America."
"This is so random," a third user declared.
McRae's connection to the sports world isn't entirely new. She made headlines earlier this year for her relationship with NHL star Jack Hughes. According to a source who spoke to Us Weekly, "Tate and Jack are dating. They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it’s still new, but they are exclusively seeing each other."
While it's unclear if McRae is a die-hard soccer fan, she certainly witnessed a nail-biter. The match remained tense until the 88th minute, when Pau Cubarsí unleashed a shot from outside the box that took a bizarre deflection off Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The ball fell perfectly for Mikel Merino, who smashed it into the net to secure a 2-1 victory for Spain.
The win punched Spain's ticket to the semifinals, where they'll face France on Tuesday. The match also drew attention to betting promotions tied to the clash, adding another layer of intrigue for fans.
McRae's appearance is just the latest example of celebrities crossing over into the sports world, reminiscent of other off-field moments that have sparked buzz during this World Cup. Her brief but memorable role at the match has fans debating the intersection of pop culture and international soccer.
Whether you loved it or found it puzzling, one thing is clear: Tate McRae knows how to make an entrance.
