Wayne Rooney Slams World Cup Halftime Show: 'I Thought It Was Crap'

Wayne Rooney, the former professional football player and manager, was unimpressed by the FIFA 2026 World Cup halftime lineup. At the World Cup final hosted by the United States, FIFA imitated the host nation's Super Bowl halftime tradition and invited some of music's finest for energetic performances.

What happened?

The headliners included BTS, Madonna, Shakira featuring Burna Boy and Justin Bieber. Wayne Rooney, when asked about his favorite part of the half-time, replied frankly: "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 crap." The former professional football player and manager speaking during a BBC Sports' coverage of the final added that the performances “didn’t get me going” and “I wanted the football to be back on.”

Why it matters for Wayne Rooney

The FIFA World Cup halftime performances were a significant event, and Wayne Rooney's blunt verdict on the show has sparked a lot of discussion. The performances included Madonna kicking off the show, transported through a tunnel on a buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The tune of her hit song *Music* played in the background as Animal from The Muppets played drums, and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel pulled the strings.

What comes next?

The halftime show was a joint effort between the artists, with all the headliners returning to the stage once more for a joint performance of Coldplay's *We Dance*. The performances were a significant departure from the usual football-focused halftime shows, and it will be interesting to see how they are received by fans in the future.

Reaction from fans

The halftime show was a mixed bag, with some fans enjoying the energetic performances and others feeling that it was a distraction from the football. Wayne Rooney's blunt verdict on the show has sparked a lot of discussion, and it will be interesting to see how fans react to the performances in the future.

Conclusion

The FIFA World Cup halftime performances were a significant event, and Wayne Rooney's blunt verdict on the show has sparked a lot of discussion. The performances included a range of artists, including BTS, Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, and it will be interesting to see how they are received by fans in the future.

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