The Cure frontman Robert Smith has expanded on his criticism of the upcoming FIFA World Cup final halftime show.
The first-ever official World Cup final halftime show will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this Sunday (July 19), with Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS all set to perform.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating the 11-minute set, which is supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund – an initiative aiming to raise $100million to expand access to education and football for children worldwide.
Yesterday (Thursday July 16), Smith posted a typically blunt response to the major slot on The Cure’s official Instagram page. He took aim at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in particular.
The frontman called out how Infantino had described the show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that would “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle”.
Venting his frustrations at this, Smith signed off with: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.”
The singer has since elaborated on his stance in another post. “Sigh,” Smith began, before writing in his signature all-caps style.
“For those of us not quite getting it: the 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,” he wrote.
“If you now understand my ‘aaaaaaagh!’ a bit better, but still don’t agree, please adjust your red cap, your ‘I 🖤 janny + donny + $$$’ Tshirt and… knock yourself out? Onwards… RSX.
He then went on to explain his reference to Donald Trump, sharing: “PS. Infantosser has said he and US President Trumpton will small hand over [the] trophy on Sunday. Sadly, there are not enough a’s left for the ‘argh’ that should follow… #breadandcircuses #pleasejustfuckoff #fuckfifa #justlookup.”
The comments after the confirmation that Trump would be attending this weekend’s final between Spain and Argentina. Infantino has said the POTUS will hand the World Cup trophy to the winners with him in New Jersey (via The Guardian).
“Yes, hopefully we’ll present the trophy together in the final,” Infantino explained. “That’s always been the plan, and that’s how it’s always been done in the past – the President of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA President.”
Last autumn, an ICE propaganda post featuring The Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love’ was removed from social media after an official takedown request.
In 2022, Smith responded to the controversy surrounding that year’s World Cup being held in Qatar, joking: “Despite the rumours [The Cure] will not be headlining the World Cup opening ceremony.” Smith used the hashtag #breadandcircuses here, too.
Elsewhere, Liam Gallagher weighed in on England being knocked out in the World Cup semi-finals, while Mick Jagger went viral with a meme-worthy reaction to the team conceding to Argentina.
In other news, Robbie Williams has shared a new version of the Official FIFA Anthem ‘Desire’ ahead of the World Cup final. He’ll also take to the stage at the tournament’s closing ceremony.
The Cure are currently out on tour across the UK and Europe. Last week, they announced that Simon Gallup’s son, Eden, would be filling in for the longtime bassist after he was taken ill shortly before the first of their three shows in Berlin.
The band recently performed at Open’er in Poland, the Isle Of Wight Festival and more European events. They are scheduled to play huge outdoor shows in Manchester and Edinburgh next month. Find any remaining tickets here.
