The Cure star Robert Smith has furiously hit out at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime performance line-up curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin
Robert Smith has slammed the upcoming FIFA World Cup halftime show(Image: Getty Images)
The Cure’s Robert Smith has slammed the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show. Tomorrow night, the biggest names will take to the stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
Artists such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Burna Boy will perform. The show, which will take place between the first and second halves of the nail-biting match, has been curated by Chris Martin of the chart-topping band Coldplay. The show will last around 30 minutes and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
But while the line-up has delighted thousands, some, including Robert Smith of The Cure, appear to have been left rather unimpressed. The musician took to social media to share his blunt reaction and took aim at FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
While sharing a picture of what appears to be NASA’s Pale Blue Dot taken by the Voyager 1 in 1990, he commented: “The half-time show, which has been curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will feature Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the K‑pop boyband BTS. Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantosser, has described the half-time show as ‘groundbreaking spectacle’ that will ‘celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle’.”
His caption went on to add: “Aaaaaaaaagh… #breadandcircuses #mugw**k #pleasejustf***off.” And fans of the legendary band were quick to agree. “Couldn’t have said it better,” said one.
A second penned: “Always the best.” “Hahaha I love you Robert! Always spot on, always voicing common sense,” wrote another. While a fourth went on to add: “Some people do shade, The Cure eclipses people with the longest shadow.”
Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher was less than impressed by the changes to have a half-time show. “I’m doing the half-time raffle for a leg of lamb,” he said on TalkSport.
Noel added: “I don’t like changes in football. I’m looking forward to these new rules about corners and time-wasting, that might be a good thing for the game, but I don’t like the razzmatazz of football; it’s been functioning perfectly for hundreds of years.”
Noel also questioned whether any of the performers had any links to football and why they had been chosen specifically. During the big announcement, Chris Martin appeared with Sesame Street characters, including Elmo. He said: “Well, this year for the first time, there’s a halftime show at the World Cup Final!
“It’s where people get together and there’s singing, and there’s dancing, and there’s music. It’s a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are. And monsters, aliens – it’s one big family, really.”
But it’s not just the halftime show which will see a host of action. Prior to the game kicking off, there’ll also be performances from Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson, who will sing the American national anthem.
The show will also feature performances from Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and streamer IShowSpeed.
It will also include a special appearance by Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise ahead of the final match. Fifa 2026 chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said: “Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the Fifa World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament.”
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