World Cup fans celebrate America’s 250th birthday in Philadelphia and Houston

World Cup fans celebrate America’s 250th birthday in Philadelphia and Houston 1 of 5 | Idina Menzel sings the U.S. national anthem ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer between Paraguay and France match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) 2 of 5 | Idina Menzel sings the “Star-Spangled Banner”, the United States’ national anthem, before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) 3 of 5 | Planes fly over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) 4 of 5 | Fireworks explode over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) 5 of 5 | A banner commemorating the 250 years since the founding of the United States is seen before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith 1 of 5 | Idina Menzel sings the U.S. national anthem ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer between Paraguay and France match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) 1 of 5 Idina Menzel sings the U.S. national anthem ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer between Paraguay and France match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 5 | Idina Menzel sings the “Star-Spangled Banner”, the United States’ national anthem, before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) 2 of 5 Idina Menzel sings the “Star-Spangled Banner”, the United States’ national anthem, before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 5 | Planes fly over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) 3 of 5 Planes fly over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 5 | Fireworks explode over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) 4 of 5 Fireworks explode over the stadium during a pregame ceremony before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 5 | A banner commemorating the 250 years since the founding of the United States is seen before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith 5 of 5 A banner commemorating the 250 years since the founding of the United States is seen before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Philadelphia (AP) — 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.A pregame show celebrating the city’s history included Tony Award winner Idina Menzel singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” a star-shaped stage. The Philadelphia-formed hip-hop band The Roots also performed, backed by dancers, including a “Lady Liberty” draped in a monumental gown, and fireworks in red, white and blue. The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale then sang an a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful.”Fans clad in the wavy, flag-inspired stripes of the U.S. national team chanted “USA!” next to France and Paraguay supporters — all of them in the red, white and blue colors of the flags of all three countries. Their chants in the sweltering afternoon heat were only muffled by the roar of a flyover of VFA-11 and VFA-81 squadrons from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. On the field, banners were unfurled to reveal words from the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. America’s 250th birthday was also celebrated in Houston, where Morocco beat Canada earlier Saturday in the World Cup Round of 16. About 45 minutes before the game, video boards featured a message from astronauts aboard the International Space Station wishing fans a happy July Fourth. 3 MIN READ 2 MIN READ 1 MIN READ Later, a circular banner with the number 250 and stars and stripes printed on it was unfurled at midfield as “America the Beautiful” played. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was then performed before the banner was removed so that the flags of Canada and Morocco could be placed on the field for their national anthems.___AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.___See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here