Why Alessia Cara is defending singer who botched O Canada before soccer match in Montreal
Alessia Cara came to singer's defence after the pop star had been incorrectly IDed as the performer before the Canada-Peru match.
Author of the article

an Bilicki
Published Oct 05, 2026 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 2 minute read
A singer botched her performance of O Canada before a soccer match between Canada and Peru in Montreal.
A singer botched her performance of O Canada before a soccer match between Canada and Peru in Montreal. One Soccer/X
When it comes to singing in front of a stadium full of people, the first thing you should probably know is the words to what you’re singing — especially when it’s the national anthem of the host.
The anthem singer performing O Canada prior to Saturday’s international soccer match in Montreal between Canada and Peru apparently didn’t get that memo, leading to an uncomfortable scene.
The unnamed woman began singing the Canadian national anthem well in French before things quickly went off course.
She appeared to slip up during the third line of the song, letting out a giggle and then trying to start over. Her second attempt hit a bump at the same spot as the crowd began to jeer her.
TV cameras for the live broadcast on One Soccer caught the reactions of several Canadian players as they listened in bewilderment, with several making puzzled faces as the singer struggled through the anthem.
Mercifully, the PA at Stade Saputo began piping in an instrumental version of O Canada as she was heard having a brief laugh.
How did Alessia Cara get involved?
The incident blew up on social media, with the Daily Mail initially reporting that the singer in question was Canadian pop star Alessia Cara and other outlets running with the false information.
However, the Mississauga native took to social media to set the record straight and come to the defence of the under-fire anthem singer.
“Hey so wasn’t me,” Cara replied to a user on X. “Not even journalists do research anymore I guess. also leave that poor girl alone.”
Cara also took to her Instagram Stories, sharing a screenshot from the Daily Mail and writing a fiery caption to accompany it.
“Thank God for our trusted sources like the Daily Mail and the other journalists who seem to have forgotten Google is free,” she wrote. “Leave this girl alone unless you’ve ever been this brave in front of thousands of people.
“Even then, shut ya traps.”
The 30-year-old singer and songwriter also posted a video of a man juggling several balls and wrote: “me catching every single stray.”
Cara does have some first-hand experience performing before soccer matches, too. Earlier this year, she was one of several performers tapped to take part in the opening ceremonies at the FIFA World Cup in Toronto.
101K likes, 833 comments - alessiasmusic on June 14, 2026: "WORLD CUPPPPP!!! what a dream with a dream team. thank you @fifa @canadasoccer 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 GO CANADA thank you my gorg glam squad @ayyyrose @lokeylauren @hairbyenzac @luckymakeup thank you music team @dd_monitors @balichwonderstudio...
instagram.com
The popstar was criticised for her disastrous performance of the Canadian national anthem before the international friendly
express.co.uk
Canada beat Peru 2-0 in a soccer friendly that won't last long in the memory on Saturday, but the pre-game antics certainly will after the unfortunate singer instantly went viral on social media.
dailymail.com
Alessia Cara came to singer's defence after the pop star had been incorrectly IDed as the performer before the Canada-Peru match. Read more.
torontosun.com