Fireworks crackled and jets roared ahead of the France-Paraguay World Cup game in Philadelphia on Saturday as fans celebrated the double joy of soccer's biggest tournament on home soil and the 250th anniversary of American independence in the nation's birthplace.
The pregame show included Tony Award winner Idina Menzel singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” from a star-shaped stage. The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale then performed an a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
The celebration highlighted the rare alignment of a major international sporting event with a national milestone, drawing significant attendance and patriotic fervor in both Philadelphia and Houston, where other matches were held.
While the festivities generated widespread positive energy, some fans expressed disappointment that security restrictions limited large-scale public gatherings near stadiums. Others noted that the soaring ticket prices made the experience inaccessible to many local residents.
The tournament continues across multiple U.S. cities, with matches scheduled to run through the knockout stages. Organizers expect the patriotic theme to persist at venues hosting games on or near the July 4 holiday.