Musician Criticizes World Cup Halftime Show Announcement
Originally published Jul 18, 2026
By Matthew Minton · Variety
AI-generated summary based on Variety · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 18, 2026
Key points
- The Cure's Robert Smith criticized FIFA's decision to introduce a halftime show at the World Cup final.
- Smith's comments were posted on The Cure's Instagram account and included strong language.
- The halftime show lineup includes artists like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS, curated by Chris Martin.
- The move has sparked debate about the commercialization of major sporting events.
- Reactions to the announcement have been mixed among fans and artists.
The Cure's frontman, Robert Smith, expressed strong disapproval of the FIFA World Cup final's first-ever halftime show. His comments, posted on the band's Instagram account, included frustration and expletive-laden criticism. The lineup, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, features high-profile performers such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS. Smith's reaction highlights a broader debate around the commercialization of major sporting events. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from fans and artists alike.
Read the original story: Variety — by Matthew Minton
