The Cure's Robert Smith slams FIFA over the World Cup halftime show, taking aim at Trump and Infantino

On Sunday, July 19, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the final of the 2026 World Cup between Spain and Argentina. For the first time in World Cup history, the interval will be turned into a full-blown halftime show modeled on the Super Bowl, a choice that continues to divide fans and enthusiasts. After the criticism from Noel Gallagher, Robert Smith has also voiced his own disapproval. The frontman of the Cure vented his frustration in a post published on the band's official Instagram account, sharing the statement in which FIFA announced the show. In the text, president Gianni Infantino described the event as "a revolutionary spectacle" set to "celebrate football, music and our shared values, leaving a legacy that will go beyond the final whistle."
Smith responded with a few pointed words, mockingly twisting the FIFA president's name into "Gianni Infantosser": "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff."

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A post shared by The Cure (@thecure)

Alongside the post was also the famous Pale Blue Dot photograph, taken in 1990 by NASA's Voyager 1 probe, showing Earth as a tiny speck suspended in space. It's an image often used to remind us how small humanity is in the universe, and in this context it came across as yet another jab at the fanfare with which FIFA is promoting the event.
A few hours later, Smith returned to the subject with a second message, explaining that his attack wasn't aimed at the artists involved, but at the very idea of turning the World Cup final into an American-style entertainment show, and at the involvement of US president Donald Trump in the trophy ceremony.

“Sigh… FOR ANYONE WHO STILL HASN'T GOT IT: THE POINT ISN'T WHO CURES OR PERFORMS IN THE SHOW, BUT THE #MUGWANK IDEA OF HAVING A HALFTIME SHOW AT THE FINAL OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP… IF MY ‘AAAAAAAGH!’ IS A BIT CLEARER TO YOU NOW, BUT YOU STILL DISAGREE, THEN GO AHEAD AND FIX UP YOUR RED CAP, YOUR ‘I ❤️ GIANNY + DONNY + $$$’ T-SHIRT AND… GO FOR IT. CARRY ON… RSX.”

The singer then doubled down after Infantino confirmed that Donald Trump, sarcastically dubbed “Trumpton”, will present the trophy to the winning team alongside the FIFA president. Smith's stance comes as FIFA pushes hard to turn the final into a spectacle. The halftime show, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, 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 kickoff, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger will take the stage to perform “Desire”, the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup.

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