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The Cure’s Robert Smith Slams FIFA’s World Cup Final Halftime Show: ‘Just F— Off’
Ahead of the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, the Cure's frontman Robert Smith took to social media to blast the concept, sparking a wider online row about the decision to add a music spectacular to football's showpiece match. Smith later clarified that his outburst was aimed at the idea of a halftime show itself rather than at the performers involved, who include Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS under the curation of Coldplay's Chris Martin.
FIFA president Gianni Infantosser described the show, which also features a Gustavo Dudamel-conducted tribute to earthquake-hit Venezuela by the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, as a "groundbreaking spectacle" celebrating football's "shared values". Controversy has also centred on its length, with reports suggesting it could run up to 25 minutes despite tournament rules capping breaks at 15 minutes, though organisers insist the musical performance itself will last just 11 minutes. FIFA had not responded to requests for comment at the time of writing, while Smith remains on tour in Europe.
In short
- Robert Smith publicly criticised FIFA's first-ever World Cup final halftime show
- He later said he was attacking the concept, not the performers
- Show features Madonna, Bieber, Shakira, BTS; length also disputed
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The halftime show represents an exciting evolution of the World Cup, bringing together global superstars and audiences in celebration of football's unifying power. By curating performances from artists of Madonna, Bieber and Shakira's calibre alongside cultural tributes like the New York Philharmonic's tribute to earthquake-hit Venezuela, FIFA creates a truly global spectacle that honours football's shared values whilst providing memorable entertainment for the billions watching worldwide. Such innovation elevates the tournament's prestige and ensures the World Cup final remains a landmark cultural event, not merely a sporting contest.
The case against
The World Cup final should be first and foremost a football match, and an elaborate musical interlude fundamentally distorts what the event is meant to be. Adding an 11-minute (or potentially longer) halftime show breaks the established rhythm of the match and shifts focus away from the players and competition to commercial entertainment; the sport itself should be the spectacle. Furthermore, if reports suggesting the show could run up to 25 minutes prove accurate, FIFA would be violating its own tournament rules capping breaks at 15 minutes, undermining the regulatory integrity that keeps the competition fair and predictable for all.
Explained simply
The FIFA World Cup final is introducing a halftime musical performance for the first time. The spectacle will feature international music stars including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS, along with classical orchestras, all curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called it a "groundbreaking spectacle" celebrating football's "shared values". The show will include the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under conductor Gustavo Dudamel, with a tribute to earthquake-hit Venezuela incorporated into the performance.
The plan has sparked controversy, with The Cure's Robert Smith publicly criticising the concept of a halftime show at the World Cup final. Smith later clarified his objection was to the idea itself rather than the performers involved. Debate has also centred on the show's length, with reports suggesting it might exceed the tournament's 15-minute break rule, though organisers maintain the musical portion will last roughly 11 minutes.