Wayne Rooney delivers brutal verdict on 2026 World Cup final halftime show
Former D.C. United player and coach Wayne Rooney, serving as a BBC pundit during the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, delivered a scathing critique of FIFA's controversial halftime show. Asked for his highlight, Rooney bluntly stated, 'I'll be honest, mine was when it finished,' and called the performance 'c***,' adding it was 'too flat' despite featuring artists like Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy. The show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and including The Muppets, was staged to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The extended interval lasted over 27 minutes, far exceeding the standard 15-minute break, which Rooney and others criticized as violating the sport's fabric. Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time on a goal by Ferran Torres to win their second World Cup title.
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