{"id":252550,"date":"2026-07-18T23:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T23:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/the-cures-robert-smith-slams-world-cup-final-halftime-show-with-madonna-and-more-just-f-off\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T23:48:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T23:48:01","slug":"the-cures-robert-smith-slams-world-cup-final-halftime-show-with-madonna-and-more-just-f-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/the-cures-robert-smith-slams-world-cup-final-halftime-show-with-madonna-and-more-just-f-off\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cure\u2019s Robert Smith Slams World Cup Final Halftime Show With Madonna and More: \u2018Just F*** Off\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Cure\u2019s lead singer Robert Smith<\/strong> blasted FIFA\u2019s World Cup Final Halftime Show<\/a>, set to feature music from Madonna<\/strong><\/a>, BTS, Justin Bieber<\/strong><\/a> and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the #mugwank ideas of a football World Cup final half time show,\u201d Smith, 67, vented via Instagram<\/a> on Thursday, July 16.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the heavily-anticipated Sunday, July 9, match between Argentina and Spain at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, the musician mocked a FIFA press statement that described the Halftime Show as a \u201cgroundbreaking spectacle\u201d that will \u201ccelebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith added his own unique caption, writing, \u201cAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Robert Smith of The Cure<\/span> SUZANNE CORDEIRO\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The singer hashtagged his post with references to \u201cbread and circuses\u201d \u2014 a political metaphor for superficially appealing to the masses \u2014 along with \u201c#MUGWANK\u201d \u201c#pleasejustf***off\u201d to make his contempt undeniable.<\/p>\n

In a second post, Smith clarified he was not upset with the performers who signed on to perform during the show \u2014 he simply opposed the idea of a ceremony involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/strong> and U.S. President Donald Trump<\/strong> handing the World Cup trophy to the winning team.<\/p>\n

\u201cSadly, there are not enough A\u2019s left for the \u2018ARGH\u2019 that should follow,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n

FIFA announced in May that Coldplay\u2019s Chris Martin<\/strong> was curating a World Cup Final Halftime Show featuring Madonna, 67, BTS and Shakira<\/strong> to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to provide education opportunities and access to football training for children across the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerforming at the World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is deeply meaningful to me,\u201d Madonna said at the time. \u201cWithout education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance. Every child deserves access to a quality learning \u2014 because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, FIFA expanded its all-star lineup by adding Bieber, 32, Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy<\/strong>, L.A. Philharmonic director Gustavo Dudamel<\/strong> and viral sensation PS 22 Chorus.<\/p>\n

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