Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay, used the halftime show of the 2026 World Cup final to deliver a pointed rebuke to Donald Trump, according to music journalist Simon Price. The performance, part of a 25-minute spectacle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, included rainbow smoke and T-shirts with messages of unity, directly challenging the Trump administration's policies on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Halftime Show Details
The show featured Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and K-pop group BTS, but it was Coldplay's segment that drew attention. After a video of Pelé saying "love," Coldplay performed "Believe in Love" with lyrics like "Be kind to each other / We're in this together." Dozens of children from diverse backgrounds wore shirts reading "all of us a family" and "stars that make a galaxy." The performance ended with rainbow smoke rising above the stadium, a clear symbol of LGBTQ+ solidarity.
Criticism of US Hosting
Price criticized the US for turning the tournament into a commercial spectacle, citing inflated ticket prices and a $13 train ticket hiked to $105. He also noted controversial incidents, such as Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry and Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein being detained at O'Hare airport. FIFA president Gianni Infantino dismissed concerns, telling critics to "chill" and "relax."
Impact and Legacy
Price argued that Martin's performance was a rare moment of defiance against hate and division. "In his own way, Chris Martin has shown us how," Price wrote, suggesting that the halftime show served as a form of protest. The article concludes by hoping future FIFA leadership would abandon what it calls "venal and vulgar innovations" associated with the Trump and Infantino era.
