'O Canada' anthem absent from Inter Miami Concacaf pregame ceremonies | OneFootball

The American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played before Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday night.

"However, "O Canada," Canada's national anthem, was omitted.

The American anthem was played before the teams took the field rather than during introductions. And because this is a Concacaf-sanctioned match not involving national teams, there is no requirement that any national anthems be played before kickoff.

That's in contrast to MLS matches, where the anthems of the countries of both competing clubs are always played, regardless of venue.

An email to Inter Miami club PR staff was not immediately returned.

The omission is particularly notable given the current geopolitical climate between the two nations and given that both anthems were played prior to Leg 1 at B.C. Place in Vancouver.

Tensions rising

The North American neighbors have long been close allies, but that relationship has become strained during the early days of President Donald Trump's second presidential term. Trump began his term by stating his desire to see Canada become a 51st state of the United States and set the stage of a broader global tariff policy by first haphazardly introducing tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

The rhetoric and sanctions have reverberated north of the border, where Canadian fans have taken to booing the U.S. anthem when played before sporting events involving teams from the two countries, including NHL, MLB, NBA and MLS contests.

Leg 2 comes two days after Canada's national elections, in which Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals won enough seats to retain control of the parliamentary government. Carney had only been in the role for several weeks following the March resignation of Justin Trudeau.

Carney's victory comes amid exit polls showing that voters were heavily influenced by Canada's suddenly fragile relationship with the U.S. and the Trump administration. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was considered a clear favorite in the race only a few months ago.

Are anthems overrated?

The episode also highlights the somewhat unique culture of U.S. and Canadian pro sports featuring their respective anthems prior to sporting events.

In most soccer nations, national anthems are reserved specifically for national team matches. Domestic club games do not have any sort of pregame nationalist content. And continental competitions typically feature the playing of an anthem of the governing federation and not competing countries.