**Wayne Rooney Savages ‘C**p’ World Cup Final Halftime Show as British Stars Lead the Backlash**
Wayne Rooney has never been one to mince his words, and the former England captain proved it once again during the 2026 World Cup final. Live on BBC Sport, the 41-year-old tore into FIFA’s first-ever halftime show, branding the star-studded spectacle “c**p” and declaring that “the best part was when it ended.” His blunt verdict quickly became the rallying cry for a wave of British frustration that swept across social media and airwaves as Spain defeated Argentina in extra time to lift the trophy.
The show, staged at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, was designed as a landmark moment for football’s biggest occasion. FIFA had assembled a glittering lineup meant to blend global pop power with nostalgia. Madonna, 67, opened the futuristic segment with a performance of “Music,” flanked by Brazilian legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. Justin Bieber followed with a stripped-back, World Cup-themed version of “Hallelujah,” strolling onto the pitch with only a guitar. Shakira returned to the World Cup stage in a dazzling pink-and-yellow sequined bodysuit to perform “Dai Dai” alongside Burna Boy, while K-pop giants BTS delivered their infectious hit “Dynamite.” Even the Muppets made an appearance, with Animal thrashing the drums in a moment of pure chaos.
On paper, it was a dream bill. In practice, large sections of the audience—particularly British fans and pundits—found it jarring, flat, and completely out of step with the tension of a World Cup final. Rooney, working as a BBC pundit alongside Gaby Logan, did not hold back. “To be honest, mine was when it finished,” he said. “I like a lot of those artists but to be honest I thought it was c**p. I did honestly. It just didn’t get me going. I wanted the football to be back on. It was a bit flat. I like Burna Boy, I like Shakira, I like Bieber, but that was too flat.”
His comments ignited a chorus of agreement. Oasis legend Liam Gallagher took to social media with characteristic venom, writing: “This is like a bad trip. It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge.” Former reality star Sam Thompson was equally unimpressed, posting: “Half time show… absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed. No one’s in the right headspace now, not even the fans. Imagine the players watching Sesame Street whilst cramping up and needing to warm up again.”
Even usually mild-mannered voices joined the pile-on. Lorraine Kelly offered a backhanded compliment after spotting Animal on drums: “Just seen ANIMAL on the drums during half-time – all is almost forgiven FIFA – but get on with the footie FFS.” Roy Keane, never one for unnecessary spectacle, called the show “a bit of an anti-climax,” though he did concede it was “nice to see Shakira.”
The backlash highlighted a deeper cultural divide. For many American and international viewers, a lavish Super Bowl-style halftime show felt like a natural evolution for the World Cup. For traditional football fans, especially in Britain, it represented an unwelcome Americanisation of the beautiful game. The final is supposed to be about pure sporting drama, not a variety performance that pulls players and supporters out of the intensity of the match. Rooney’s frustration that he “wanted the football to be back on” captured that sentiment perfectly.
The production itself was ambitious. Madonna’s segment leaned heavily into spectacle, with the pop icon in stockings embracing the two Brazilian greats before being driven across the pitch. Bieber’s acoustic turn aimed for intimacy but struggled to fill the vast stadium. Shakira and Burna Boy brought energy, and BTS delivered the kind of polished, high-octane performance their fans expect. Yet the overall effect, according to critics, felt disjointed and oddly low-energy for such a high-stakes occasion.
The halftime show was not the only talking point of the night. The closing ceremony later featured an even longer list of stars, including Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini. Celebrities packed the stands: Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, David and Victoria Beckham with their sons, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, Mick Jagger, Will Ferrell, Javier Bardem and many more. President Donald Trump’s presence added another layer of spectacle and security complications, with fans enduring hours-long queues due to ticket-scanning glitches and airport-style checks.
Spain ultimately prevailed in a tense final, Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time. But for large parts of the British audience, the lasting memory was not only the football but the sense that FIFA had misjudged the mood. The attempt to turn the World Cup final into a global entertainment extravaganza left many feeling that the soul of the occasion had been diluted.
Rooney’s candid takedown may prove to be the defining soundbite of the night. In an era when football is increasingly packaged as multi-platform entertainment, his old-school demand to simply get back to the game resonated widely. Whether FIFA will scale back future halftime ambitions or double down on celebrity spectacle remains to be seen. For one night in New Jersey, however, the message from one of England’s greatest players was crystal clear: the best part of the show was the moment it finished and the football returned.
