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The Cure’s Robert Smith Blasts FIFA’s World Cup Final Half-Time Show: ‘Please Just F— Off’
The Cure's frontman Robert Smith has publicly criticised FIFA's decision to stage a half-time show at Sunday's World Cup final, calling on the organisation to "just f— off" in a pair of pointed Instagram posts. The move marks the first time a half-time show has featured at a World Cup final, and it has drawn wider criticism alongside FIFA's introduction of in-game "hydration breaks", which fans have reportedly booed inside stadiums.
The 11-minute show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will feature Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS ahead of the Argentina v Spain final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, though broadcasters expect the full interval to stretch to around 30 minutes, breaching FIFA's own 15-minute rule. Smith clarified he was not attacking the performers themselves but objected to the concept of a half-time show at a World Cup final and to Donald Trump's planned appearance alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino to present the trophy. Smith, a lifelong Queens Park Rangers fan, made the comments as The Cure continue their European festival tour, with England having already been eliminated from the tournament following a 2-1 defeat to Argentina.
In short
- Robert Smith slams FIFA's first-ever World Cup final half-time show
- Show features Madonna, Bieber, Shakira, BTS; curated by Chris Martin
- Smith objects to concept and Trump's role, not the performers
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Modern sporting spectacles benefit from entertainment that engages global audiences; half-time shows are now standard practice at major events and can celebrate musical talent whilst complementing rather than detracting from the competition itself. This reflects how audiences increasingly expect world-class events to offer comprehensive entertainment value.
The case against
The World Cup final should remain centred on football, not be converted into an entertainment vehicle; FIFA is already breaching its own 15-minute rule by extending the interval to 30 minutes, and commodifying the sport undermines what makes the competition uniquely compelling. The World Cup's identity rests on pure sporting excellence, not on musical performances or celebrity endorsements.
Explained simply
The FIFA World Cup final is international football's biggest match, held every four years between the two strongest teams in the world's most prestigious tournament. For the first time, this year's final between Argentina and Spain will feature a half-time entertainment show, breaking with decades of tradition where the interval was simply a rest period for players and fans.
The performance will showcase major music acts and extend the half-time break to around 30 minutes, well beyond FIFA's usual limits. Critics argue that adding entertainment to the final represents commercialisation and risks distracting from what many regard as the sport's most important match.
Robert Smith, frontman of the rock band The Cure, has publicly objected to this format change through social media. His criticism reflects broader debate amongst fans and commentators about recent modifications to the World Cup, including in-game breaks, with some believing these changes prioritise commercial interests and sponsorship over the sport itself.