The lead singer of The Cure Robert Smith blew up the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, with music from MadonnaBTS, Justin Bieber and more.
“It’s not really about who’s curating or performing, it’s about the #Mugwank ideas of a World Cup halftime show,” Smith, 67, said via Instagram on Thursday, July 16th.
Ahead of the highly anticipated game between Argentina and Spain at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 9, the musician poked fun at a FIFA press release that described the halftime show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music and our shared values, creating a legacy that extends beyond the final whistle.”
Smith added his own unique caption, writing: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH…”
Robert Smith from The Cure
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty ImagesThe singer hashtagged his post with references to “bread and circuses” – a political metaphor for superficial appeal to the masses – as well as “#MUGWANK” and “#pleasejustf***off” to make his disdain undeniable.
In a second post, Smith clarified that he wasn’t upset with the artists who signed up to perform during the show – he just rejected the idea of a ceremony involving the FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump Handing over the World Cup trophy to the winning team.
“Unfortunately there are no longer enough ones for the ‘ARGH’ that was to follow,” he joked.
FIFA announced in May that Coldplay’s Chris Martin curated a World Cup final halftime show with Madonna, 67, BTS and Shakira to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, whose goal is to raise $100 million to provide educational opportunities and access to soccer training for children around the world.
“Performing at the World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is very meaningful to me,” Madonna said at the time. “Without education, children are denied opportunities before they even have a chance. Every child deserves access to quality learning – because education expands opportunities and creates lasting change.”
Earlier this month, FIFA added 32-year-old Nigerian singer-songwriter Bieber to its all-star lineup Burna BoyDirector of the LA Philharmonic Gustavo Dudamel and viral sensation PS 22 Chorus.
Since releasing her debut album in 1983, Madonna has rarely been out of the public eye – and she has never stopped delivering floor-filling pop hits. Madonna, who was born in Bay City, Michigan in 1958 and whose full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, began dancing as a child after convincing her father to let her study (…)
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together like nothing else,” Bieber, 32, said on July 8. “I am grateful to be a part of this halftime show and even more grateful to know that it is already helping to improve access to education for children around the world.”
Burna Boy added: “The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the whole world together. Representing Africa at the first half-time show of the FIFA World Cup final is a privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I am honored to be part of a performance that not only celebrates football and culture, but also helps create better opportunities for children through education around the world.”
FIFA has also confirmed that its halftime show will feature performances from The Muppets and characters from The Muppets Sesame Street.
