Eddie Vedder chug beer during US Men’s Team World Cup meltdown

Eddie Vedder did his part. The Pearl Jam frontman was at home at Lumen Field on Monday night, July 6, in preparation for the anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup game between the United States and Belgium. The Seattle native and his daughter Olivia had a brief moment to see each other during the game when cameras turned on them, but it was a crowd-rousing move that Singer pulled off during a hydration break in the second half, eliciting a roar from the packed stadium as America’s chances appeared to be dwindling.

With the U.S. losing 3-1, Fox’s cameras turned to Vedder, 61. Mr. Vedder promptly chugged his beer, foam dripping down his face and onto his shirt, before electrifying the crowd with a silly gesture of holding the can over his head. Perfectly tuned, the stadium’s PA swelled with the sound of PJ’s 1991 debut single, “Alive,” but unfortunately, the song didn’t adequately describe the situation on the American side. They looked like they were on the losing side for most of the match, losing 4-1 and being eliminated from the round of 16.

Vedder is well known as a baseball fanatic, especially his beloved Chicago Cubs, but his appearance at the World Cup game helped bring some joy to an otherwise tough night for a team that had dim prospects at best against a Belgian team that had conceded just four runs so far en route to the last 16.

There were hopes that the return of American striker Folarin Balogun, who was suspended for one match due to a red card in the previous match, could lead the United States to victory, thanks to a controversial phone call from President Trump to his friend FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This highly unusual decision sparked an outcry from soccer fans outside the United States, but the Belgians had the last laugh, as Balogun had little impact on the game.

Belgium celebrated after the match by posting a pointed message to X: “Turn this around.” The Belgians also took a little swing at Trump as they came off the field, gathered around the edge of the field, rotated their hips, and waved their arms in the air in a mocking nod to Trump’s signature awkward “Trump dance.”

Despite the blowout, Vedder appears to be enjoying a rare summer break, with Pearl Jam not scheduled to play any shows until Sept. 27 at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, Calif., their first show since longtime drummer Matt Cameron left last summer.