Sacha Lecca/Rolling Stone
Robert Smith, the iconic frontman of The Cure, has made his disdain clear regarding the Chris Martin-curated halftime performance scheduled for Sunday’s (July 19) FIFA World Cup final. This year marks a historic shift, as the final will feature an eleven-minute musical interlude during the standard fifteen-minute break. However, industry insiders suggest this disruption could stretch to half an hour, blatantly disregarding FIFA’s established regulations.
This decision has sparked significant backlash, joining a chorus of disapproval regarding the controversial implementation of “hydration breaks” throughout matches, which have frequently been met with jeers from live audiences.
As the stage is set for the final showdown between Argentina and Spain at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, Smith took to The Cure’s official Instagram account to eviscerate both the production—which features a star-studded lineup including BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Madonna—and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
In a biting social media post, Smith shared a promotional snippet of the spectacle, remarking: “The halftime show, masterminded by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will feature Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS. FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantosser, has heralded this as a ‘groundbreaking spectacle’ that will ‘celebrate football, music, and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.’ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustf–koff.”
Shortly thereafter, Smith followed up with a clarification, emphasizing that his vitriol is directed at the commercialization of the sport and the presence of political figures like President Trump and Infantino, rather than the artists themselves.
“FOR THOSE OF US NOT QUITE GETTING IT: THE POINT IS NOT REALLY ABOUT WHO IS CURATING OR PERFORMING; IT IS ABOUT THE #MUGWANK IDEA OF A WORLD CUP FINAL HALFTIME SHOW,” Smith asserted. “Infantosser has stated he and President Trumpton will be on hand to distribute the trophy on Sunday. SADLY, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH A’S LEFT FOR THE ‘ARGH’ THAT SHOULD FOLLOW.”
A devoted supporter of the west London club Queens Park Rangers, Smith’s commentary arrives just as the English national team exits the tournament following a 2-1 loss to Argentina. The Cure remains in the midst of an extensive European festival tour, with their next performance slated for Friday, July 17, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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