Dan + Shay stepped onto the midfield stage at SoFi Stadium, and all 70,492 fans fell silent. It had been 32 years since the FIFA World Cup was last held on American soil, and for the 2026 tournament opener against Paraguay, FIFA selected the Nashville country duo to perform the national anthem. Most people expected a solid performance. What they got was something far more memorable. Cameras captured Tom Cruise singing along to every word from the stands, while David Beckham was also spotted among the crowd. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric long before the opening whistle. When Fox Sports later posted the performance online, the clip racked up 700,000 views in just three hours. Then the USMNT carried that same energy onto the pitch, cruising to a dominant 4–1 victory. It marked the first time in history that the United States had scored four goals in a World Cup match. On that night, Dan + Shay did more than perform the anthem—they helped set the tone for everything that followed.

Introduction

A Harmonious Kickoff: Dan + Shay Set the Stage for USMNT’s Historic Victory
When Dan + Shay stepped onto the midfield stage at SoFi Stadium, the roar of 70,492 fans instantly gave way to an expectant silence. It had been 32 years since the FIFA World Cup was last hosted on American soil, and the gravity of the moment hung heavily in the air. For the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) opening match against Paraguay, FIFA chose the multi-Grammy-winning Nashville country duo to perform the national anthem. While the audience anticipated a solid rendition, what they ultimately witnessed was a breathtaking, spine-tingling performance that immediately etched itself into World Cup history.

The atmosphere inside the cutting-edge stadium was electric long before the opening whistle. As Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney harmonized, the star-studded crowd was visibly moved. Broadcast cameras captured Hollywood icon Tom Cruise passionately singing along to every word from his luxury suite, while soccer legend David Beckham was spotted nearby, taking in the magnificent spectacle. The duo’s soaring vocals and emotional delivery perfectly captured the immense pride of a nation welcoming the world back to its shores.

“Dan + Shay did far more than just perform the anthem—they channeled the collective heartbeat of over seventy thousand fans and handed that energy directly to the players.”

The impact of their performance extended far beyond the stadium walls. The moment Fox Sports uploaded the clip of the national anthem online, it became an instant viral sensation, racking up a staggering 700,000 views in just three hours. Fans worldwide praised the duo for delivering a grounded yet powerful rendition that avoided over-the-top dramatics, focusing instead on pure vocal synergy and patriotic reverence.

Fueled by the explosive energy vibrating through SoFi Stadium, the USMNT took to the pitch with an undeniable spark. They channelled the momentum into a masterclass performance, cruising to a dominant 4–1 victory over a formidable Paraguay squad. The spectacular triumph marked the first time in history that the United States had scored four goals in a single World Cup match, sending a clear message to the rest of the tournament’s contenders.

Ultimately, June 2026 will be remembered not just for the return of global soccer to America, but for the night music and sports blended perfectly in Los Angeles. Dan + Shay did not just kick off a soccer tournament; they set a triumphant tone for the USMNT’s campaign, creating a legendary sports moment where a perfect anthem paved the way for a historic victory.