WORSHIP LEADERS
SINGING OR CRITIQUING:“ THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER” | Grant Norsworthy
I’ m not a huge soccer fan. But every time the FIFA World Cup tournament comes around, I make sure to watch a match or three. For me, what’ s happening on the field is okay, but I’ m more interested in the passion, the displays of cultural diversity and the crowds. Especially the crowds. These matches give a telling snapshot of the state of humanity. Most of the world is watching or at least interested. It’ s an amazing, insight-giving spectacle.
And have you noticed that soccer crowds sing? Really sing! It seems to me that soccer crowds sing better— with more passion and volume— than most church congregations. This is an observation I first wrote about way back in February 2021 in my article Unity Through an Agreed Goal.
This begs the question: why? Surely there’ s more motivation to sing of God’ s amazing grace— that saved a wretch like me— than there is for a crowd’ s favorite team of sweaty men trying to put a polyurethane sphere into a net.
And, yes, I am aware that most of the world calls this game( correctly, in my opinion) football. After all, every player puts their foot on the ball. American football is a great game but— let’ s tell it like it is— it is perhaps misnamed.
Only a few months have passed since the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. With the USA being one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico, this World Cup worked its way more deeply into the American consciousness than ever before. I’ m sure you at least heard about it. Did you watch any games?
Did you notice what happened with the prematch singing of the national anthems? There was something of a wonderful, fascinating cultural collision. This is what really caught my attention. Let me explain.
When the USA played Australia on June 19 at Seattle Stadium, the American hosts graciously adopted the rest of the world’ s style of pre-match anthems— with surprising and inspiring results. First came the Aussie anthem,“ Advance Australia Fair,” presented in a way that Australians— and the rest of the world— are accustomed to. Pre-recorded instrumental accompaniment provided the music as the people and the players sang. Several thousand avid Socceroos fans and the anxious, excited Australian football squad sang their anthem. Great, but expected.
Then came the fascinating cultural collision. Instead of a celebrated solo vocalist performing“ The Star-Spangled Banner” for a listening audience, as is usually the way in the USA, there was simply pre-recorded instrumental backing, like the Aussies had. And instead of just listening, more than 60,000 Americans heard what was missing, took this as an invitation, and sang. Spontaneously. Rapturously. Man, did they sing! Rousing. Passionate. Goosebumps.
Check out this short video— one of many posted online— that documents the event. Take a minute to read some of the comments left by viewers. They are overwhelmingly positive.
Typically, national anthems are intended to be sung by the people of that nation. The act of singing their anthem together gives people an opportunity to express their national pride, identity and unity. But the act of singing the anthem together can also cultivate, nourish and perhaps even create that national pride, identity and unity.
Before bigger international sporting events outside the USA, this is the usual way. Naturally, unpretentiously, the crowd and the competitors sing their anthems in turn. Sometimes with, but usually without, a guiding vocalist on a microphone. A profound, powerful, somewhatmessy anthem by the people. This has been the case in most countries for many decades. It has been the practice at FIFA World Cup tournaments for many years too.
But in the USA, the pre-match anthem is usually performed by a solo vocalist. The crowd will be invited to stand, if they are able, remove their hats, if they’ re wearing one, and the anthem is sung for them.
“ Oh, say, can you see, By the dawn’ s early light, What so proudly we hailed At the twilight’ s last gleaming.”
If the anthem is sung well enough by the solo performer, the crowd will begin to cheer at the dramatic crescendo of the final line:“ O’ er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
If the event is big enough, the crowd might also be treated to the additional spectacle of a military flyover— perhaps by the US Navy’ s Blue Angels F / A-18 Super Hornets— precisely and perfectly timed to arrive just after the singer hits that final word:“ brave.”
Why does the American crowd cheer with such passion? I’ m sure it’ s a mixture of strong national pride, excitement for the upcoming sporting showdown, the thrill of low-flying military aircraft and appreciation for the vocal prowess of the solo performer. All rolled together! This is a big production. A spectacle. Massive vibe! 62 September 2026 Subscribe for Free...