NFL's Paris game sparks anthem controversy over lyric change
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 28, 2026, 4:45 PM
Last updated Oct 28, 2026
The NFL's first regular-season game in Paris on October 25, 2026, faced backlash after singer Nina Tonji altered a lyric in the French national anthem during her performance. Tonji's change of the word 'impur' to 'uni' in 'La Marseillaise' led to online criticism regarding the historical significance of the anthem's lyrics. Though greeted with applause at the Stade de France, recordings of the performance ignited debates about artistic freedom versus national pride. The game, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints, attracted a sold-out crowd of 78,488. The reaction on social media highlighted differing views on the appropriateness of modifying national symbols in public events.
- •The game took place at Stade de France with 78,488 attendees.
- •Tonji replaced 'impur' with 'uni,' changing the anthem's interpretation.
- •French media and social media users criticized the altered lyrics.
- •Tonji's motivations for the lyric change remain unconfirmed.
- •The Steelers faced the Saints in this historic NFL matchup.
- 4:45 PMYahoo Sports — NFL’s first Paris game faces backlash over changed French anthem lyrics
"The NFL's first regular-season game in Paris sparked controversy after singer Nina Tonji changed a word in the French national anthem, drawing criticism online and raising questions about the historic song's meaning.
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