World Cup fans issue same complaint over Post Malone and Swae Lee's closing ceremony performance
Viewers of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup closing ceremony expressed frustration on social media, accusing performers Post Malone, Swae Lee, and IShowSpeed of lip-syncing. The performance took place at MetLife Stadium ahead of the final match between Argentina and Spain.
Why it matters
Public scrutiny of live performances at major global sporting events highlights the tension between high-production entertainment and audience expectations for authenticity.
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup final kicked off on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ahead of the final matchup between reigning champs Argentina and Spain, Post Malone, Swae Lee, and streamer IShowSpeed hit the stage during the official World Cup closing ceremony. The 31-year-old Grammy -nominated artist performed his hit song 'Sunflower' from the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. Some viewers were not impressed, with several taking to social media to accuse the performers of lip syncing. This comes as prediction markets expect one hit to be Shakira's first World Cup halftime show song during her performance. Post Malone kicked off the World Cup closing ceremony wearing a T-shirt with the words 'I just hope both teams have fun' underneath a head-to-toe denim look paired with boots and a white cowboy hat.
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