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USA players lose track of their own anthem as Turkey seal 3-2 World Cup win

For the second consecutive game at the FIFA World Cup, a pre-recorded instrumental version of the US national anthem was played at an apparently accelerated tempo, leaving both players and fans visibly struggling to keep up ahead of a 3-2 defeat to Turkey.

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USA players lose track of their own anthem as Turkey seal 3-2 World Cup win
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Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side were beaten 3-2 by Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium in their final World Cup group game, but the result was not the only thing that left supporters talking — for the second match running, the US national anthem was played at a tempo that had players and fans alike scrambling to keep up.

Rather than a live singer, a pre-recorded instrumental version of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was played over the PA system ahead of kick-off. Television pictures showed several USA players clearly out of sync with the music, some shutting their eyes and abandoning any attempt to follow along. Fans watching at home were equally baffled, with many taking to social media to demand FIFA address the issue.

“Why is the US national anthem being played so fast during the World Cup?!” wrote one supporter. Another posted on X: “Anthem was played at 2x speed for some reason.” A third described it as being played “at legit like 2.5x speed,” while others directed their frustration squarely at the governing body: “FIFA really needs to slow down the US national anthem. You can tell it’s too fast for the crowd and the players to keep up with it.”

The anthem had been performed live by a singer at the USA’s opening match of the tournament, but the switch to a recorded track for subsequent games prompted the recurring complaints.

On the pitch, the result was a blow in terms of pride if not progression — Pochettino’s side had already secured their place in the round of 32 following victories over Paraguay and Australia. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, took full advantage of the dead-rubber dynamic.

Auston Trusty gave the USA an early lead, turning the ball home from close range, but Turkey hit back through Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz to lead at half-time. Sebastian Berhalter equalised after the break, only for Kaan Ayhan to steer in a stoppage-time winner that sealed a 3-2 victory for Turkey and sent them into the knockout rounds on a high.

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