Jennifer Hudson national anthem supporters called a stirring start to the World Cup final, as Hudson sang The Star-Spangled Banner before kickoff at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The performance — shown live on FOX — drew strong applause from a sold-out crowd and quick camera cuts to VIP suites where notable figures were visible.
Jennifer Hudson national anthem performance
Jennifer Hudson delivered a measured, note-focused rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner that broadcasters described as respectful and polished. FOX’s coverage showed close-ups of Hudson and the stadium reaction as she completed the anthem; cheers and sustained applause followed across the stands. The moment served as a concise ceremonial opener before a lineup of program items that preceded the match.
Television producers kept the segment tight, with the anthem immediately followed by shots of dignitaries and the stadium crowd. Reporters in the media area noted that Hudson’s performance set a formal tone for kickoff and avoided any on-air awkwardness often associated with live anthems.
VIP suite: Trump, Melania and Infantino
During the anthem and the applause that followed, FOX’s broadcast showed President Donald Trump standing in a suite at the stadium alongside first lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Camera coverage repeatedly cut to the VIP area during pregame ceremonies, and broadcasters identified the suite occupants on air.
Coverage emphasized the visual of the three figures together but did not offer extended commentary beyond confirming attendance. As with other aspects of the pregame program, television outlets relayed what was visible on screen and attributed on-site details to event production and broadcast feeds.
Pregame ceremony highlights
The pregame lineup included several high-profile moments. British singer Robbie Williams performed as part of the closing ceremony slate, contributing a musical feature to the short program that led into the match.
Actor Tom Cruise appeared during the pregame ceremony and delivered brief remarks encouraging togetherness and honoring the event’s host nations. Coverage described Cruise’s message as a short call for unity during the global final; outlets flagged the appearance as part of a series of celebrity moments built into the ceremony.
Fox News’ account also noted the presentation of the World Cup trophy. According to that reporting, Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz carried the trophy in a Louis Vuitton luggage case onto the stage area, and 1978 Argentina World Cup champion Mario Kempes later lifted the trophy for the crowd to see. This article attributes those specific ceremonial details to Fox News’ on-site coverage.
Match context and crowd
The match pitted Spain against Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium. Media reports, including FOX’s coverage cited here, described the stadium as sold out and reported attendance figures as above 80,000. Broadcasters captured expansive shots of the stands to underscore the crowd size as fans cheered the ceremonial moments and awaited kickoff.
On the field, Spain arrived looking for a second World Cup title, with young forward Lamine Yamal among the notable members of the squad. Argentina came into the game led by Lionel Messi, aiming to defend the championship they won in 2022. Those match-context details were included by outlets providing pregame team rundowns and player notes.
Source and verification
This summary relies primarily on Fox News’ coverage of the final’s pregame ceremonies, including the anthem, the broadcast shots of the VIP suite, and the trophy presentation. Specific claims in this article that mirror Fox News reporting are attributed directly below with the original link.
Notes for verification:
- Roster name clarification: Fox News’ report named a player as “Mikel Moreno.” Official Spain squad lists and commonly used rosters identify a squad member named Mikel Merino. Reporters and editors should verify the intended player name against the official team sheet or FIFA match documentation before using a definitive roster spelling.
- Attendance: Media coverage described the stadium as sold out and reported attendance as over 80,000. For an exact figure, consult the match report from organizers or the stadium authority.
- Ceremony details (Tom Cruise remarks; Carlos Alcaraz carrying the trophy in a Louis Vuitton case; Mario Kempes lifting the trophy): these items are described in Fox News’ on-site reporting and are attributed here to that account. Reviewers should confirm with ceremony footage or official event notes if precise wording or sequence is required.
Source attribution: Fox News — original coverage of the anthem, VIP suite shots and pregame ceremony is available at: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trump-takes-jennifer-hudson-incredible-national-anthem-performance-world-cup-final
Key takeaways
- Jennifer Hudson performed The Star-Spangled Banner before the Spain vs Argentina final; FOX broadcasted the performance and stadium reaction.
- Donald Trump, Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were shown together in a suite during the anthem, per FOX coverage.
- Pregame highlights reported by Fox News included Robbie Williams performing, Tom Cruise’s brief remarks, and a trophy presentation involving Carlos Alcaraz and Mario Kempes.
- The final was staged at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, described by media as sold out with attendance reported above 80,000; confirm exact numbers with official match documentation.
Reporters and editors: when preparing follow-up pieces or citations, please verify roster spellings and attendance figures using the official match report or the event organizer’s published materials. This article preserves the Fox News account where noted and flags items for confirmation where necessary.
