The FIFA World Cup’s first attempt at a Super Bowl style halftime show hasn’t won everyone over, with Liam Gallagher leading the criticism after taking to social media during the final.
The Oasis frontman didn’t hold back as the tournament introduced an extended musical performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where the halftime break stretched beyond the traditional interval to more than 27 minutes.
Taking to X, Gallagher summed up his feelings in typically unfiltered fashion. “This is like a bad trip.”
He followed it up moments later, adding:
“It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge.”
A diverse lineup
The ambitious production featured a diverse lineup of performers including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy and even The Muppets. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the show marked FIFA’s first major attempt to bring the spectacle of the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime entertainment to the world’s biggest football tournament.
Gallagher wasn’t the only high-profile name left unconvinced.
Speaking during the BBC’s live coverage, former England captain Wayne Rooney admitted the performance simply wasn’t for him (per Music News).
“I like a lot of those artists, but to be honest, I thought it was c**p.”
He continued:
“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.”
Television presenter Sam Thompson also questioned whether the entertainment belonged in a World Cup final, writing on Instagram:
“Halftime show… absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed. No one’s in the right headspace now, not even the fans.”
While the star studded production undoubtedly drew global attention, the reaction online suggests many football supporters remain divided on whether the Super Bowl formula translates to the world’s biggest sporting event.
If FIFA was hoping to start a new tradition, it’s safe to say the conversation has only just begun.
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