On Sunday 19 July the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, halftime will be transformed into a real one halftime show on the model of the Super Bowl, a choice that continues to divide fans and enthusiasts. After Noel Gallagher's criticisms, Robert Smith also expressed his dissent. The Cure frontman entrusted his outburst to a post published on the band's official Instagram account, sharing the statement with which FIFA announced the show. In the text, president Gianni Infantino defined the event as “a revolutionary spectacle” intended to “celebrate football, music and our shared values, leaving a legacy that will go beyond the final whistle”.
Smith reacted with a few eloquent words, ironically mangling the FIFA president's name into “Gianni Infantosser”: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.”
The famous photograph also appeared to accompany the post Pale Blue Dotcreated in 1990 by NASA's Voyager 1 probe, which shows the Earth as a tiny dot suspended in space. An image often used to remind us how small humanity is in the universe and which, in this context, seemed like a further dig at the emphasis with which FIFA is promoting the event.
A few hours later Smith returned to the topic with a second message, explaining that his attack was not aimed at the artists involved, but at the very idea of transforming the World Cup final into an American-style entertainment show and at the involvement of US President Donald Trump in the awards ceremony.
“Sigh… FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T UNDERSTOOD YET: THE POINT IS NOT WHO CARE OR PERFORMS IN THE SHOW, BUT THE #MUGWANK IDEA OF MAKING A HALFTIME SHOW IN THE FINAL OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP… IF NOW MY 'AAAAAAAGH!' IT'S A LITTLE CLEARER, BUT YOU STILL DISAGREE, PUT ON YOUR RED HAT, YOUR 'I ❤️ GIANNY + DONNY + $$$' T-SHIRT AND… GO AWAY. NEXT… RSX.”
The singer then took things further after Infantino confirmed that it will be Donald Trump, sarcastically renamed “Trumpton”, who will deliver the trophy to the winning team together with the FIFA president. Smith's stance comes as FIFA is pushing decisively to make the final spectacular. THE'halftime showcurated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will feature performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Coldplay themselves, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus. According to the federation, the show will support the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising funds to expand access to education and football for children around the world. Music will also accompany the pre-match: before kick-off Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger will take to the stage to perform “Desire”, the official anthem of the 2026 Football World Cup.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
