Singer Alessia Cara struggles with national anthem during Canada vs Peru soccer match

A public performance of the Canadian national anthem descended into chaos on October 3, 2026, before a friendly soccer match between Canada and Peru in Montreal. During the live-broadcast event, singer Alessia Cara struggled significantly with the lyrics and melody of "O Canada," appearing off-key before eventually stopping her performance to laugh into the microphone.

The stadium officials intervened by playing an instrumental recording of the anthem over the loudspeakers, but the initial mishap had already drawn audible jeers and boos from spectators in the stands. Television footage captured the confusion of the Canadian national team players as the incident unfolded on the field.

The event quickly went viral on social media, where it drew harsh criticism from fans regarding the quality of the performance. While the match proceeded following the disruption, the incident remains a major talking point in the local media and online, highlighting the challenges of high-profile live performances before sporting events.