Liam Gallagher Sparks Debate With Blunt Reaction to FIFA World Cup Halftime Show
Blog post description.
7/20/20261 min read
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has sparked discussion after giving a blunt reaction to the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina featured a star-studded musical performance during the break. The show included major artists such as Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Shakira, with the event curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Gallagher, known for his outspoken views, reacted to the spectacle on social media, describing it as “like a bad trip.” His comment quickly attracted attention online as viewers debated the unusual and highly packed production.
Shakira was one of the main performers of the show. The Colombian superstar performed “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the tournament, alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy. Her appearance attracted significant attention, particularly because of her connection with FIFA World Cup music, having previously performed the hugely popular 2010 World Cup song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
The halftime show also featured performances from Madonna and BTS, while Justin Bieber performed an acoustic version of “Everything Hallelujah.” The production additionally included appearances by conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the Muppets and the PS22 Chorus, creating a highly unusual combination of pop music, football legends and entertainment.
While some viewers praised the ambitious international line-up, others felt that the large number of performers and rapid changes made the show feel chaotic and difficult to follow. Gallagher's “bad trip” comment became one of the most memorable reactions to the event.
The performance has since generated debate over whether a Super Bowl-style halftime show is appropriate for a FIFA World Cup final. Supporters believe the format can bring football and global entertainment together, while critics argue that it distracts from the sport itself.
Despite the mixed reactions, the halftime show became one of the most talked-about moments of the World Cup final, with Shakira's performance and Liam Gallagher's blunt reaction both attracting considerable attention from fans around the world.