Liam Gallagher and Robert Smith Criticize World Cup Halftime Show
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium made headlines for more than just the match between Argentina and Spain, as the event featured the tournament’s first-ever halftime show. The performance, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, included appearances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Muppets’ house band, the Electric Mayhem.
While organizers promoted the event as a “groundbreaking spectacle” intended to benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, several prominent rock musicians expressed significant disdain for the production.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher took to X to share his reaction, describing the spectacle as “like a bad trip.” Gallagher, who has been an outspoken fan throughout the tournament, jokingly added that he was thankful for his “spiritual socks” to prevent the entertainment from tipping him over the edge. His comments came after a tournament where Oasis’ “Wonderwall” served as a de facto anthem for the England squad.
The Cure’s Robert Smith Joins Chorus of Critics
Robert Smith of The Cure was similarly vocal in his opposition, emphasizing that his frustration was directed at the commercialization of the sport rather than the individual artists involved. Smith posted a series of critiques on social media, expressing his outrage at the inclusion of an intermission performance in a sport traditionally devoid of such interruptions. He further addressed the political context of the event, criticizing the announced attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump and the involvement of FIFA leadership.
“The point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the… idea of a football world cup final half time show,” Smith wrote, punctuating his frustration with explicit social media commentary regarding the organizers.
Gallagher Dismisses New Oasis Album Rumors
Beyond his commentary on the World Cup, Liam Gallagher recently addressed ongoing speculation regarding a new Oasis studio album. Following the success of the band’s 2025 reunion tour, fans have been clamoring for new music. Gallagher definitively shut down those expectations, noting that he is not interested in the inevitable public scrutiny that would follow a new release.
“I’m just not prepared for the criticism if it doesn’t sell 100 million copies in the first hour,” Gallagher posted on X. “Let’s just do some gigs and be happy.” He also clarified that previous suggestions of a new record being “in the bag” were intended as a joke, stating that he finds modern audiences “a little uptight” and simply wanted to have a laugh.