sigh…,” Smith started his second post. “FOR THOSE OF US NOT QUITE GETTING IT: THE POINT IS NOT R E A L L Y ABOUT W H O IS CURATING OR PERFORMING, IT IS ABOUT THE #MUGWANK I D E A OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP FINAL HALF TIME SHOW… IF YOU NOW UNDERSTAND MY ‘AAAAAAAGH!’ A BIT BETTER, BUT STILL DON’T AGREE, PLEASE ADJUST YOUR RED CAP, YOUR ‘I 🖤 JANNY + DONNY + $$$’ TSHIRT AND… KNOCK YOURSELF OUT? ONWARDS… RSX PS.”

The Cure’s Robert Smith Takes Aim at FIFA’s World Cup Final Half-Time Show: ‘Just F- – – Off’

 

 

The rocker clarified that his criticism isn’t directed at performers but at the idea of turning the FIFA World Cup final into a Super Bowl-style spectacle

Robert Smith performs with The Cure during the Roskilde Festival 2026 at Roskilde Dyrskuepladsen on July 1, 2026 in Roskilde, Denmark.

Robert Smith performs with The Cure during the Roskilde Festival 2026 at Roskilde Dyrskuepladsen on July 1, 2026.

NEED TO KNOW

Robert Smith criticized FIFA’s first World Cup final halftime show, calling it a “#MUGWANK” idea on Instagram

The show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, features Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS with an extended halftime

Smith clarified his frustration is with the concept, not the performers, and mocked FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s involvement

Robert Smith isn’t holding back about FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday, July 19, The Cure frontman blasted the new entertainment spectacle in a pair of posts shared to the band’s official Instagram account, making it clear he has little interest in seeing the sport embrace a Super Bowl-style production.

The inaugural halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, is set to feature performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS during the match at New York/New Jersey Stadium. While halftime in soccer is traditionally 15 minutes, broadcasters expect the break to run closer to 30 minutes to accommodate the performance.

Robert Smith of The Cure performs onstage during Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 21, 2026 in Newport, Isle of Wight.

Robert Smith of The Cure performs onstage during Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 21, 2026.

Mark Holloway/Redferns

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Sharing a description of the event alongside his own commentary, Smith made it clear he wasn’t impressed by FIFA’s plans for the World Cup final, taking aim at both the halftime show and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“The half-time show, which has been curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will feature Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the K-pop boyband BTS. Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantosser, has described the half-time show as ‘groundbreaking spectacle’ that will ‘celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.’

A few hours later, the rocker returned to Instagram after some fans interpreted his post as criticism of the performers themselves. Smith clarified that his frustration was directed at the concept of a halftime show, not the artists taking part.

Robert Smith of The Cure performs during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2009 on April 19, 2009 in Indio, California.

Robert Smith of The Cure performs during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2009 on April 19, 2009.

“sigh…,” Smith started his second post. “FOR THOSE OF US NOT QUITE GETTING IT: THE POINT IS NOT R E A L L Y ABOUT W H O IS CURATING OR PERFORMING, IT IS ABOUT THE #MUGWANK I D E A OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP FINAL HALF TIME SHOW… IF YOU NOW UNDERSTAND MY ‘AAAAAAAGH!’ A BIT BETTER, BUT STILL DON’T AGREE, PLEASE ADJUST YOUR RED CAP, YOUR ‘I 🖤 JANNY + DONNY + $$$’ TSHIRT AND… KNOCK YOURSELF OUT? ONWARDS… RSX PS.”