The first 4 Nations Face-Off has been a rousing success, as players and fans have felt a strong sense of patriotic pride throughout the tournament. For Team USA and Team Canada, that pride has also included a level of politically-rooted animosity between the two countries.
In his first month back in office, President Donald Trump’s tariff policies directed at several countries, including Canada, were not received well by citizens of those nations. Canadians began booing the U.S. national anthem ahead of NBA and NHL games, and the rivalry reached a crescendo during the 4 Nations tournament, as Team USA’s win over Team Canada last week seemed to reach beyond the ice.
Additionally, Trump has already attended a few different sporting events, watching the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500 in person. Team USA GM Bill Guerin mentioned on Fox News that he hoped Trump would consider attending the 4 Nations final on Thursday when the U.S. and Canada face off again.
“We would love it if President Trump was in attendance,” Guerin said, via TSN. “We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff. Listen, we’re just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”
As Team USA and Team Canada prepare to decide the 4 Nations Face-Off winner, here’s a breakdown of the animosity between the two fanbases and why American hockey fans have started returning the favor to their Canadian counterparts.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF HQ
Why is the USA booing Canada’s national anthem?
USA fans booing Canada’s national anthem is a response to the past few weeks of animosity between the two countries.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that created tariffs on goods coming from Canada, Mexico, and China into the United States, with Canadian goods specifically getting a 25% tariff. Even though the tariffs have been paused while the U.S. and Canada negotiate a new trade deal, the boos haven’t stopped. Additionally, Trump continued to publicize his opinion that Canada should be annexed to become the United States’ 51st state.
As a result, Canadian hockey fans expressed their displeasure by booing the American national anthem during basketball and hockey games.
The United States national anthem is booed in Ottawa ahead of the Senators and Wild game amid tariffs from US President Donald Trump.
Caught the end of it, but it was booed for the first part of the anthem as well. pic.twitter.com/ChBU6XFxIP
— Nick Murray (@NickMurray91) February 2, 2025
Boos for the US anthem, cheers for the singer. pic.twitter.com/sq23aRGMvJ
— Clay Imoo (@CanuckClay) February 3, 2025
The US anthem gets booed at the Raptors game. Never seen this before. pic.twitter.com/HDipiMs9fW
— William Lou (@william_lou) February 2, 2025
In response, American hockey fans began booing the Canadian national anthem before games.
Boos now rain down in Nashville for the Canadian anthem. #GoSensGo https://t.co/vLIYadSsMA pic.twitter.com/ePCOEbMFYo
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) February 4, 2025
Once the 4 Nations Face-Off began, the booing picked up. The first four games of the tournament were played in Montreal, so Canadian fans booed the American national anthem during Team USA’s first two games of the tournament, including against Team Canada.
Boos echo through Bell Centre as the Star Spangled Banner plays in Montréal with Team USA 🇺🇸 opener against Finland. pic.twitter.com/J35NMY0QI9
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 14, 2025
How the “Star-Spangled Banner” sounded inside Bell Centre before USA-Canada at #4Nations.
Plenty of boos. pic.twitter.com/EFoKJMFuAh
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 16, 2025
On Monday, the tournament moved to Boston, with the final two games of the round-robin round taking place at TD Garden. As such, American fans booed the Canadian national anthem before Team Canada’s third game of the tournament against Finland.
O Canada draws a smattering of boos inside TD Garden in response to Star Spangled Banner treatment in Montréal. pic.twitter.com/QlttcBYKDq
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 17, 2025
With Team USA and Team Canada playing one final time on Thursday in the 4 Nations final, American fans are sure to boo the Canadian national anthem again — and Canadian fans in attendance figure to respond in kind.
