The Cure's vocalist, Robert Smith, criticized FIFA for its decision to incorporate a musical show during half-time of the 2026 World Cup final, an event that he described as an example of "bread and circuses."

The show, which will take place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, will mark a milestone in the history of the tournament as it will be the first time that the final has a halftime performance inspired by the Super Bowl model. The concert, which has been supervised by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will feature global stars such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the South Korean group BTS.

Smith, 67, expressed his displeasure on Thursday, July 16, via the band's official Instagram account. In his publication, he shared the FIFA statement in which the organization's president, Gianni Infantino, described the event as an "innovative show" that would celebrate "football, music and our shared values." The musician's response was a forceful and cryptic "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH...", accompanied by the hashtags "#Breadandcircuses", "#MUGWANK" and "#pleasejustf***off".

Criticism of the show

In a subsequent publication, Smith clarified that his criticism was not directed at the artists who will participate in the show, but at the very concept of a ceremony of this type in a World Cup final.

He also questioned the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and United States President Donald Trump to present the trophy to the winning team, referring to them with the derogatory nicknames “Infantosser” and “Trumpton.”

“The point is not really about who is healing or performing; it is about the absurd idea of ​​a halftime show at the World Cup final,” he said.

The spectacle, which seeks to raise $100 million for FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, has generated intense debate about the "Americanization" of soccer and the disruption of the sport's tradition.