Robert Smith slams FIFA World Cup final halftime show
The Cure's Robert Smith has blasted FIFA's plan for the first-ever World Cup final halftime show, posting a blunt Instagram rant that boiled down to telling organizers to just f— off. Fans tracking the cure8217s robert smith reaction should know his fury targets the spectacle concept itself—not Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, or BTS.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Smith slammed FIFA's historic World Cup final halftime show on The Cure's Instagram.
- The lineup is curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and includes Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS.
- Smith later clarified he objects to the idea of a final halftime show, not the artists.
- Reports say the show could run up to 25 minutes, while tournament rules cap player breaks at 15.
- FIFA has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
According to Variety, Smith's first post on The Cure's Instagram read: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH…#BreadandCircuses#MUGWANK#pleasejustfuckoff.” The outburst followed news that the World Cup final will stage its first halftime show in history.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the special a “groundbreaking spectacle” meant to celebrate football, music, and shared values beyond the final whistle. For more live-event and broadcast fallout, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
What did Robert Smith actually say about the show?
Hours later, Smith posted again to stress he was not attacking the performers. He said the issue is “THE MUGWANK I D E A OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP FINAL HALF TIME SHOW,” and told critics who still disagree to adjust their “red cap” and “I 🖤 JANNY + DONNY + $$$” T-shirt and knock themselves out.
In short, the cure8217s robert smith stance is cultural and political: he framed the show as bread-and-circuses spectacle, not a critique of the pop stars booked to play it.
Who is performing in the FIFA World Cup final halftime show?
Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the program. Confirmed names include Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS. Variety also reported that members of the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela will jointly perform a tribute to Venezuela after devastating earthquakes in the region.
That mix of global pop and orchestral programming is part of why the debut final-halftime format is drawing such intense attention—and pushback.
Why is the halftime show's length controversial?
Another flashpoint online is timing. Sources told BBC News the performance may last up to 25 minutes, but tournament regulations say players' breaks should not exceed 15 minutes. That gap has fueled debate over whether entertainment is being prioritized over match flow.
Reps for FIFA did not immediately respond to Variety's request for comment. Meanwhile, The Cure continues a European tour—most recently in Plovdiv, Bulgaria—and Smith appears on Olivia Rodrigo's duet “What's Wrong With Me.”