Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney did not mince words when asked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show. He made it quite clear that he was not a fan.
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"I like a lot of them artists," he said when asked about the show, "but I thought it was crap."
This comment caught Gabby Logan, Micah Richards, and Joe Hart by surprise, and it prompted Richards to say, "So miserable." Rooney confirmed that he felt this way, saying, "That's it, honestly."
"What did you think of the World Cup final half-time show?"
Wayne Rooney: pic.twitter.com/1j6OQap9Yi
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 19, 2026
This packed halftime show, the first in the World Cup Final history, featured no shortage of performers and guest stars. This included Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt reprising their roles as Coach Lasso and Coach Beard to introduce Justin Bieber.
This halftime show also featured Madonna performing while accompanied by Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho Gaucho. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem from The Muppets then performed with the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.
The halftime show also featured appearances from BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Sesame Street characters, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus.
The different performers enjoyed their time in the spotlight early in the halftime show before everyone came together for one final performance.
This performance entertained some and irritated others. That is nothing new for halftime shows in sporting events, which the Super Bowl has proven countless times.
Rooney, a five-time Premier League champion, fell into the former category. He didn't particularly enjoy watching this show featuring Shakira, Bieber, and many others.
This halftime show split up what became an extended soccer match between the two remaining teams in the World Cup — Argentina and Spain.
These two teams entered halftime tied 0-0. They remained in a tie through the end of regulation. The final soccer match of the tournament then went into extra time and two overtime quarters. Spain ultimately scored a 1-0 win over Argentina, which lost midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the 91st minute.
