"Honestly, It Was Trash": World Cup's First Halftime Show Met with Cold Response
Harsh Criticism from Football Figures Like Wayne Rooney
Concerns Over Disrupted Match Rhythm and Tactical Instructions
Wayne Rooney, regarded as a legendary striker for the England national team, harshly criticized the "halftime show" that appeared during the 2026 North and Central America World Cup final.
On July 20, 2026 (Korean time), the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw, and a halftime show was held during the break.
The halftime show, the first event of its kind in World Cup history, was reportedly overseen and planned by Chris Martin of the British band Coldplay. Numerous global superstars took part in the event, including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Korean idol group BTS (Bangtan Boys), who all performed on stage. The show lasted for 11 minutes.
However, Rooney, who was commentating on the match for the British public broadcaster BBC, said, "Many of the artists who appeared are among my favorites," but then added, "But to be honest, the performance itself was trash."
Rooney was not the only one to express discontent over the halftime show. The New York Times pointed out that the halftime show seemed to benchmark the NFL's Super Bowl, but criticized it for lacking coherence and structure compared to the Super Bowl. While the Super Bowl typically features an organic production led by a single main artist, this World Cup show saw multiple performers take the stage in a seemingly random order, which reportedly diminished the show's focus.
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On social media, criticism from fans continued, with comments describing it as a "bizarre performance," "pointless planning," and "Rooney is speaking for us." Some even expressed concern that the halftime show caused delays in the match, disrupting the rhythm of the game or potentially affecting coaches' strategic instructions.
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