Wayne Rooney slams FIFA World Cup halftime show as 'crap' despite star-studded lineup

Wayne Rooney didn't hold back while sharing his thoughts on the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, bluntly calling the star-studded performance "crap" during a live BBC Sports broadcast.

The former England captain made the candid remark after the historic halftime entertainment aired during Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

The show featured performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and other global stars, along with a surprise appearance by Jason Sudeikis in character as Ted Lasso.

"I like a lot of the artists, but I thought it was crap," Rooney said on air. When host Gabby Logan questioned his verdict, the football legend doubled down, replying, "I did, honestly."

Asked whether the performance of the classic hit Macarena changed his opinion, Rooney admitted it "just didn't get me going."

Logan jokingly suggested Justin Bieber's slower set may have influenced his reaction, prompting laughter from the studio panel.

The halftime spectacle marked the first musical performance ever staged during a FIFA World Cup final.

Organisers said the event was designed not only as entertainment but also to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to education and sports programs for children worldwide.

Following the performance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the production, calling it a "spectacular and unifying" event while thanking the performers and crew for helping deliver the tournament's historic halftime show.