NFL’s first Paris game faces backlash over changed French anthem lyrics
· Yahoo Sports
The NFL’s first regular-season game in France drew controversy before kickoff on October 25, 2026, when singer Nina Tonji changed a word in the French national anthem. Her performance at Stade de France prompted criticism across French social media.
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Tonji replaced a familiar phrase in La Marseillaise, raising questions about the anthem’s historical meaning and whether performers should alter national symbols. The dispute became a separate story from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
A historic NFL game opens with controversy
The NFL brought regular-season competition to France for the first time, with Pittsburgh facing New Orleans at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. The game attracted 78,488 spectators to the country’s national stadium.
Before the teams began playing, Franco-Canadian singer Nina Tonji performed France’s national anthem. The ceremony introduced a historic event in the league’s international expansion, with American football taking center stage before a French audience.
Although Tonji received applause inside the stadium, criticism followed when recordings circulated online. French media outlets highlighted a lyrical difference that prompted viewers to question her interpretation of the country’s best-known patriotic song.
One changed word sparks widespread criticism
The controversy centered on Tonji replacing “impur,” meaning “impure,” with “uni,” meaning “united,” in the anthem’s familiar refrain. That substitution changed the wording of a passage closely associated with France’s revolutionary history.
The traditional phrase is “Qu’un sang impur abreuve nos sillons!” Tonji instead sang “Qu’un sang uni abreuve nos sillons!” The alteration changed the meaning while preserving the surrounding words and musical arrangement.
French outlets, including Le Parisien and RTL, reported the reaction on October 26. Videos circulated on social media, drawing complaints from viewers who believed the anthem should retain its established wording during public ceremonies.
Why the original French lyrics matter
La Marseillaise dates to April 1792, when France entered a conflict with Austria during the French Revolution. Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed the song in Strasbourg for the Army of the Rhine.
The phrase “sang impur” belongs to the anthem’s wartime language. It is commonly understood as referring to France’s enemies, while the surrounding lyrics urge citizens to defend their country against approaching hostile forces.
Replacing “impure” with “united” changes that historical meaning. Some critics argued that the revised passage becomes confusing because it retains the image of blood watering French fields without clearly identifying an opposing force.
Source: thenews2.com/DepositphotosFrench social media users challenge the performance
Comments on videos of Tonji’s performance questioned why an invited artist would modify the national anthem during an international sporting event. Some described the change as disrespectful, while others challenged its historical interpretation.
French coverage documented objections from viewers who believed performers should preserve the established lyrics of a national symbol. Their complaints focused on the altered wording rather than the singer’s musical arrangement or vocal style.
However, online criticism does not establish how most French viewers felt. Social media responses reflect individuals who chose to participate, and available reporting does not provide a representative measure of national public opinion.
Tonji’s intentions remain unclear
The replacement word “uni” can suggest togetherness, leading some observers to interpret the substitution as an expression of national unity. However, that interpretation remains speculative without a direct explanation from the performer.
As of October 26, French reporting had not established whether Tonji deliberately intended to communicate a particular message or made an error during her performance. The wording change is documented, but her motivation remains unconfirmed.
The singer’s Franco-Canadian background also attracted attention in coverage of the incident. Her nationality, however, does not establish why the lyrics changed or demonstrate any connection between the performance and France’s domestic political debates.
The NFL’s international plans provide wider context
The Paris matchup formed part of the NFL’s continuing effort to reach audiences outside the United States. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced plans for the French game in February, identifying Stade de France as its venue.
New Orleans offered a natural connection to the host country. French settlers established the city in 1718, and the Saints hold NFL marketing rights in France, linking the franchise’s overseas efforts with its historical roots.
The game also followed Pittsburgh’s international appearance in Dublin in 2025. By bringing established franchises into additional markets, the league has expanded its overseas presence through competitive regular-season matchups rather than exhibition games.
Source: thenews2.com/DepositphotosPregame entertainment carried local connections
The musical lineup reflected the event’s French and American setting. New Orleans brass group The Soul Rebels performed the U.S. national anthem, bringing a recognizable element of Saints-hometown culture to Paris.
The group’s participation complemented the wider presentation of an American sporting event in France. Performances representing both countries formed part of the ceremony before the teams began their scheduled regular-season contest.
The arrangements also illustrated a challenge for international sports organizers. Music can connect audiences across countries, but national anthems carry established words and historical associations that make unexpected changes particularly noticeable during major public events.
Steelers secure victory in the Paris debut
Once play began, Pittsburgh built its advantage through a balanced offense and timely defensive stops. Aaron Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards, including a touchdown to tight end Darnell Washington.
Jaylen Warren added 101 rushing yards on 18 carries, while the Steelers converted 10 of 16 third-down opportunities. Pittsburgh finished with 343 net yards and limited New Orleans to just 18 rushing yards.
The Saints fell to 2-5, while Pittsburgh improved to 5-2. The result established the Steelers as the winners of France’s first NFL regular-season game, although discussion surrounding the anthem performance continued beyond the final whistle.
Fun fact:La Marseillaise was not originally written under that name. Volunteers from Marseille popularized Rouget de Lisle’s 1792 composition, and France declared it a national song in 1795, long before the modern NFL existed.
TL;DR
- Nina Tonji changed a word in La Marseillaise before the NFL’s first regular-season game in France on October 25, 2026.
- Her replacement of “impure” with “united” drew criticism from French social media users.
- The original lyrics reflect France’s revolutionary history, but Tonji’s reason for changing them remains unconfirmed.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 before 78,488 spectators at Stade de France.
- The controversy highlighted disagreements about artistic interpretation and the established wording of national symbols.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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