Know Why the Players of USNWT do not Sing National Anthem During the 2023 World Cup?
Before playing Vietnam on Friday in their World Cup debut, the majority of the US women’s football team (USNWT) chose to remain silent during the playing of the national anthem.
The “Star Spangled Banner” played loudly around the Eden Park arena in New Zealand as the majority of the defending women’s World Cup title squad grimaced and looked forward.
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THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS AT THE 2023 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME 🙌 pic.twitter.com/czqIXr5zBT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
In contrast to their six colleagues, who kept their hands clasped behind their backs, just five of the 11 players who stood on the pitch for the anthem—with young, aspiring players standing before them—did so.
Only three members of the USWNT, Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan, joined the hundreds of American spectators in the stands in singing.
Vietnam, a World Cup newcomer, sang its national anthem, “Tiến Quân Ca,” or “Song of a Marching Army,” passionately in comparison.
Auckland felt like a home match 💙 pic.twitter.com/XbiU6Aa0E5
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 22, 2023
Tiến Quân Ca 🎶
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, VIETNAM'S NATIONAL ANTHEM IS PLAYED AT THE FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP! 🇻🇳 pic.twitter.com/gflhypkC0r
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
The hymn was enthusiastically sung by all 11 players as they held their right arms perfectly over their hearts.
When their country’s anthem aired during the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time ever, coaches and supporters enthusiastically joined the chanting.
In the squad’s historic game, the USNWT team destroyed Vietnam 3-0 despite their opponent’s apparent charm.
In the first game, the two-time reigning champions sought to establish the tone for what they hoped would be their third straight title victory.
The national anthem and the USWNT women’s squad have a tumultuous relationship history.
Bench back at it 📸 pic.twitter.com/uvCIdGHmIs
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 22, 2023
Forward Following NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s protest in 2016, Megan Rapinoe began to repeatedly kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Rapinoe, who is participating in her final World Cup before retiring, declared in the weeks leading up to her team’s 2019 World Cup victory that she will “never put my hand over my heart.”
“I’ll probably never sing the national anthem again,” she said at the time.
Only one USNWT Women’s National Team player failed to kneel before a game against Australia in 2021.
