When Wayne Rooney was asked his thoughts on the half-time entertainment during the 2026 World Cup final, he didn't hold back. "I thought that was crap," the former England striker told BBC presenter Gabby Logan, in a comment that quickly went viral. Rooney's blunt verdict was just the tip of the iceberg: British fans and celebrities alike savaged the show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, calling it controversial, surreal, and a waste of a global stage.
The half-time show in question took place during the final between Spain and Argentina, the climax of a month-long tournament. It featured a lineup of some of the biggest names in music: Madonna (who performed while riding a mobility scooter after a roller-disco segment), Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams. The performance lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, a marathon slot that left many viewers reaching for the remote. The Sun's Rod McPhee wrote that the show turned sport's greatest event into "The Eurovision Song Contest," while critics noted that the evening's low point came even before kick-off when Jennifer Hudson sang the Star-Spangled Banner in a rendition described as "murdered."
“Wayne Rooney's brutal verdict on the 2026 World Cup final half-time show highlights a recurring controversy.”
The backlash wasn't just about the quality of the acts. For many, the half-time show felt disconnected from the sport itself. Rooney's reaction, on BBC1, was seen as speaking for millions: he was later quoted by the Daily Mail as using even stronger language. The Sun declared that Rooney "spoke for BBC viewers, the nation and planet earth." The controversy tapped into a long-running debate about whether World Cup finals have become too commercialised, with the half-time show increasingly resembling a Super Bowl-style spectacle rather than a celebration of football.
For UK readers, this matters because BBC viewers paid for the broadcast through the licence fee. The BBC aired a promotional ad for itself during the final, which further irritated fans already upset by the half-time show. The incident also raises questions about FIFA's priorities: should the focus be on the match or on entertainment? The contrast with England's third-place play-off win against France earlier in the tournament added to the sense that the final itself was overshadowed.
Q: Who performed at the 2026 World Cup final half-time show? The show featured Madonna (on a mobility scooter), Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams. Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem before the match.
Q: Why did Wayne Rooney call the show 'crap'? Rooney gave his honest opinion on live BBC television when asked by presenter Gabby Logan. His comment resonated with many viewers who felt the performances were disjointed, overlong, and out of touch with the football audience.
Q: What was the duration of the half-time show? The performance lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, a significant length that some felt detracted from the flow of the match and tested viewers' patience.
There are no confirmed plans for FIFA to change its approach to half-time entertainment. However, the widespread criticism—from fans, pundits, and even former players like Rooney—may prompt the governing body to reconsider the format for future tournaments. For now, the 2026 final will be remembered as much for its off-pitch spectacle as for the result itself.