Eddie Vedder Soaks Up the Moment as Pearl Jam's Alive Plays During USA vs. Belgium Match

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder was caught on camera enjoying a memorable World Cup moment as ‘Alive’ echoed around the stadium during a hydration break.

The moment unfolded during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Seattle Stadium on July 6, where the United States suffered a 4 to 1 defeat against Belgium.

During the second half hydration break, the stadium sound system played Pearl Jam’s 1991 anthem ‘Alive’. Cameras quickly found Seattle native Eddie Vedder in the crowd as thousands of fans sang along to the song.

In the footage, Vedder lifts his drink to the crowd, playfully conducts the fans, then finishes a can of Stella Artois, spilling it down the front of his shirt while those nearby laugh and cheer.

Released as Pearl Jam’s first single, ‘Alive’ later appeared on the band's landmark 1991 debut album ‘Ten’. Written by Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard, the track has become one of Pearl Jam’s signature songs and remains a staple of their live performances.

Watch the moment below:

The match itself ended in disappointment for one of the tournament's co hosts, as Belgium secured a convincing 4 to 1 victory to eliminate the United States. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also found the back of the net. Malik Tillman scored the only goal for the United States.

The game had also attracted attention because of controversy surrounding United States forward Folarin Balogun, who had originally been suspended for one match after receiving a red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Donald Trump later contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s suspension. FIFA subsequently lifted the ban, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium. The decision sparked criticism across the football world, although FIFA insisted its judicial process had remained independent.

Belgium will now meet Spain in the World Cup quarter finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, July 10. The winner will advance to face either France or Morocco in the semi finals.

Away from football, Vedder recently released the uplifting new single ‘Better Believe’, created in partnership with the Chicago nonprofit Guitars Over Guns, an organization that supports young people by connecting students with professional musicians and artists.

Vedder co wrote the song alongside students from the Audio Arts program at Columbia College Chicago, with all royalties benefiting Guitars Over Guns. The song also received its live debut during the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago last month, where Vedder performed with the students.

Earlier this year, reports also suggested Vedder could collaborate with Yungblud after the pair met at a corporate Christmas party last year. “Eddie’s such an inspiration to me, especially vocally,” Yungblud said afterwards. “I think we might write together in the future.”

Pearl Jam’s latest album, ‘Dark Matter’, was released in spring 2024. In its four star review, NME described the record as “some of their strongest work in recent memory”.