Dan + Shay took one of the biggest stages in the world and delivered a performance that fans are still talking about.
Before the U.S. Men’s National Team faced Paraguay in the opening week of the FIFA World Cup, the country duo performed a stunning rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at SoFi Stadium in front of more than 70,000 fans. The performance set the tone for an unforgettable night that ended with a commanding 4–1 victory for Team USA.
With the World Cup returning to American soil for the first time in more than 30 years, the moment carried special significance. Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney rose to the occasion with the flawless harmonies and heartfelt delivery that have made them one of country music’s most beloved acts.
After sharing the performance on Instagram, the duo was flooded with praise from fans. One commenter wrote, “Perfect vocals! They could probably sing the dictionary and it would sound fabulous.” Another called it the “Best Star-Spangled Banner ever,” while others said it instantly earned a place among their favorite anthem performances of all time.
The performance even drew attention from fellow artists. Michael Bublé commented, “Beautiful,” while country singer ERNEST showed his support with heart and American flag emojis.
The night was memorable for more than just the anthem. U.S. defender Chris Richards delivered a historic performance, completing all 83 of his passes and setting a World Cup record for the most passes completed with 100 percent accuracy since 1966.
But for many fans watching around the world, Dan + Shay’s powerful rendition of the National Anthem was one of the highlights of the evening. In a moment that celebrated both country and competition, the duo reminded everyone why their voices continue to captivate audiences wherever they perform.