The MLB All-Star Game is usually all about unity, celebration, and honoring the best players in baseball.
This year’s Midsummer Classic took place in Atlanta, bringing together talent from all 30 Major League teams—including the Toronto Blue Jays, Canada’s lone representative.
But instead of universal praise, the night left a bitter aftertaste for many north of the border.
Canadian Anthem Left Off the Broadcast
Before the first pitch, Canadian singer Lauren Spencer Smith performed O Canada live at the stadium to represent the Blue Jays and their fans.
But if you were watching on Fox Sports in the U.S., you wouldn’t have seen or heard it.
That’s because Fox chose not to broadcast the Canadian national anthem at all—instead only airing The Star-Spangled Banner, performed by the Zac Brown Band.
No explanation was given by the network at the time, and Fox Sports did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Fans React with Frustration Online
Unsurprisingly, fans were quick to voice their frustration—and in some cases, downright anger.
Social media lit up with complaints, especially on X (formerly Twitter). One viewer posted,
“Once again, @FOXSports doesn’t show the Canadian national anthem on the US feed. So disrespectful.”
Another account asked if the anthem had even been performed, while others called the decision “typical Fox” and said it was “a missed moment” for international unity.
Some fans even wondered aloud whether MLB should take a closer look at how its pre-game programming is handled in the future.
Tensions Between the U.S. and Canada Add Fuel
The timing of the controversy only made things worse.
The snub comes in a year already marked by rising political tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Earlier this year, former President Donald Trump stirred up international backlash after threatening to make Canada the “51st state.” The fallout from that remark has lingered in public conversation and even spilled over into sports.
National Pride Runs Deep—Especially in Sports
The Canada vs. U.S. rivalry has never been limited to politics.
It’s long been a part of international sports, from baseball to hockey.
This year’s NHL ‘4 Nations Faceoff’ saw the U.S. beat Canada in the group stage—only to lose to them in a dramatic overtime finale on American soil.
For Canadian fans, moments of national pride like a televised anthem matter deeply.
Political Undercurrents Cast a Shadow Over the Game
While the MLB likely didn’t intend to cause controversy, skipping the Canadian anthem—especially when a Canadian team contributed players to the All-Star Game—struck a nerve.
The political climate between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, particularly their clashes over trade and tariffs, has only added more weight to symbolic gestures like this one.