Rod Stewart cancels a scheduled concert in California shortly before he is due to perform, citing illness, but then is seen attending a World Cup match hours later. Multiple outlets report that the cancellation happens close to the showtime, with Stewart not going on stage as planned. In the wake of the cancellation, some fans and commentators express disappointment and criticism for attending the match soon after he called off the gig. Reports describe online backlash and reactions from concertgoers who say Stewart’s attendance at the World Cup contradicts the stated reason for cancelling the performance. One outlet includes a fan quote that frames the situation as a rare disagreement with Stewart, while another outlet highlights stronger negative reactions from listeners who say they have lost respect for him. The coverage focuses on the timing between the abrupt cancellation and the public appearance at the World Cup, and the resulting public response. The outlets do not present evidence of any official controversy beyond the perceived inconsistency between illness-related cancellation and attending the match.