Karina Pasian’s outfit sparks debate during US national anthem at first NFL game in Spain

Karina Pasian’s outfit sparks debate during US national anthem at first NFL game in Spain

In a moment meant to highlight the global reach of the NFL, the performance by Karina Pasian ahead of Sunday’s historic game in Madrid instead became a flashpoint for controversy over dress and decorum. The Miami Dolphins faced the Washington Commanders at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on 16 November, the first regular-season NFL game hosted in Spain. Pasian’s vocal delivery drew praise, but widespread reaction focused on what she chose to wear.

Pasian appeared on the field wearing a black mini-dress with a deep cowl neckline, paired with thigh-high stockings, visible garters, and long opera-length gloves. The attire prompted a flood of reactions on social media, with some fans calling it inappropriate for a national-anthem performance. One commenter wrote: “Why did she have to dress like a cabaret dancer? Takes away all solemnity from the anthem.”

However, the backlash was not unanimous. Many fans and attendees applauded Pasian’s vocal performance. One admirer noted: “Not many people can sing that song well. She knocked it out of the park.” Others welcomed the moment as a symbol of the NFL’s expanding international footprint: “Historic game, historic vocals. She delivered!”

The episode reopened familiar debates around respectability, gendered dress expectations, and what constitutes appropriate presentation during patriotic rituals. Some argue that the broader focus should have been on the anthem and the significance of the league’s Spain debut rather than the singer’s outfit. Others feel the dress code debate reflects unequal standards applied to female performers in high-visibility roles.

Pasian herself acknowledged the opportunity, posting on Instagram: “Thank you so much @NFL for this amazing opportunity! It was an honour to sing the national anthem at the first ever NFL game in Spain!!”

From the NFL’s perspective the game delivered: Miami won 16-13 in overtime, providing memorable sport and spectacle. Yet the pre-game anthem performance is likely to be remembered less for the scoreline and more for the public conversation it sparked about presentation and patriotism in the age of global sports. Those who supported Pasian’s performance say her vocal talent should have been the focus, while critics insist that any major international sporting moment bears a degree of ceremonial decorum.

In the end it remains a standout moment, not just for the league’s Spain debut but for the questions it provoked about how one honours national symbols in a world that increasingly blends sport, entertainment and style.