FIFA has announced a series of Independence Day celebrations to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026 round-of-16 matches scheduled for Saturday, 4 July — the United States' 250th anniversary — at venues in Houston and Philadelphia.

Houston's red, white, and blue spectacle

Houston Stadium will host a patriotic pre-match showcase built around the red, white, and blue of the American flag. The centrepiece will be the unfurling of a large pitch banner inspired by the imagery of a firework, followed by a national-anthem performance from US Navy Band Chief Musician Maia Rodriguez.

Pyrotechnics and themed video-board displays will accompany the on-pitch ceremony, with organisers urging fans to arrive early to take in the complete experience before player warm-ups begin approximately 65 minutes before kick-off.

Philadelphia's historic celebration

Philadelphia — where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776 — will honour the city's foundational place in American history with an ambitious pre-match programme at Philadelphia Stadium.

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel will deliver the US national anthem, while The Roots, the multiple Grammy Award-winning hip-hop band founded in Philadelphia, will perform live. Additional ceremonial elements will feature the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale and Miss Pennsylvania, Stephanie Skinner.

Supporters inside the stadium will also participate in a tifo card display, one of the most visually striking traditions in football. A fly-past by the VFA-11 and VFA-81 squadrons from the Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, will add further spectacle overhead.

At half-time, Grammy Award winner DJ Jazzy Jeff — a proud native of Philadelphia — will entertain the crowd, capping off a celebration befitting the birthplace of the United States.

Arriving early is essential

At both Houston Stadium and Philadelphia Stadium, ceremonies are set to begin approximately 25 minutes before kick-off. Fans are strongly encouraged to be in their seats ahead of that window to experience every element of the festivities, from the opening pyrotechnics to the final whistle.