Robert Smith criticizes addition of halftime show to World Cup final
Robert Smith criticizes addition of halftime show to World Cup final
Updated at: July 19, 2026 at 02:15 AM
In July 2026, the football world witnessed a significant change when the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium featured a halftime show for the first time.
Curated by Chris Martin, the event included stars like Madonna and BTS.
While FIFA framed the performance as a charitable spectacle, it sparked intense backlash, most notably from The Cure frontman Robert Smith.
Smith took to social media to voice his strong opposition, criticizing the move as a forced commercialization of the sport.
His main concern centered on the disruption of the match's rhythm, as the halftime break was extended to 30 minutes to accommodate the production.
Smith clarified that his anger was not directed at the artists, but rather at the 'American-style' spectacle that he felt undermined the identity of football.
Furthermore, he expressed disdain for the political optics surrounding the final, including the presence of high-profile political figures at the trophy ceremony.
The controversy remains a flashpoint in the debate over how much sports should prioritize entertainment over the game itself.
