Wayne Rooney has delivered a withering verdict on the World Cup final half-time show, branding it “crap” live on BBC as the longest intermission in tournament history unfolded at MetLife Stadium. The former England captain, working as a pundit, was asked what his favourite moment was. “I’ll be honest, when it finished,” he said. “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.”
The 27-minute-22-second spectacle featured Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy, South Korean K-pop group BTS, Robbie Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini and Post Malone. The Muppets and Ted Lasso also made appearances. Madonna opened the show, singing her hit Music while appearing to emerge from tunnels beneath the arena. Shakira and Burna Boy reunited after performing together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. BTS made their comeback from a three-year music hiatus following mandatory military service in South Korea.
“Wayne Rooney branded the World Cup final half-time show 'crap' as Madonna, BTS and Shakira performed.”
A galaxy of celebrities watched from the stands, including Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Timothée Chalamet, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, and Argentine-British actress Anya Taylor-Joy. Tom Cruise gave a speech before kick-off about football’s power to unite, while Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem.
Rooney’s candid remark left fellow BBC pundits Gabby Logan, Micah Richards and Joe Hart in stitches. Fans quickly hailed him as a “national hero” on X, with one writing: “Rooney telling the world what we were all thinking.” Another called him “the voice of the nation”. The show, which ran during the Spain-Argentina final, drew mixed reviews despite its star-studded lineup.