The Cure frontman Robert Smith responds to FIFA’s plans for the World Cup final halftime show, which is curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Multiple outlets report that Smith expresses strong dissatisfaction about the event, describing it in harsh terms and saying he is not looking forward to it. FIFA has announced that the halftime show will feature pop and music performers including Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber. Billboard and NME both tie the show to Sunday’s (July 19) World Cup final and describe it as the first-ever halftime performance of its kind. While both sources highlight Smith’s negative reaction, neither indicates that he is participating in the event or that there are changes to the show’s lineup. The reports focus on the contrast between Smith’s comments and the announced roster of major international artists set to appear during the halftime segment.