IShowSpeed and Post Malone are being called out on social media after their performances at the 2026 Fifa World Cup closing ceremony.
The YouTube streamer, 21, and singer, 31, took the stage at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey to close out the tournament ahead of the Argentina-Spain match Sunday.
Their massive production kicked off with dancers in colorful outfits, pyrotechnics and a marching band. However, as Speed — whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr. — performed his hit song, “World Cup (Champions),” some viewers noted that his vocals sounded prerecorded.
“FIFA kicks off the World Cup Finals with a lip syncing contest,” one viewer joked on X. Another added, “Speed out here with the worst lip-syncing performance of all time.”
A third critic wrote: “They don’t even hide the lip syncing anymore. Terrible… Bring back actual live music and bands!”
“The way they have literally everybody lip-syncing at the World Cup is so stupid,” one person fumed. “Like why even have performances if that’s how they’re gonna perform?”
Post Malone, who wore a tee shirt that said “I just hope both teams have fun,” performed a new song titled “Chrome Heartbreaker” and brought out singer Swae Lee to perform their song “Sunflower.”
“Lip sync in the World Cup pre game performance by post Malone and swae lee I mean I understand but they could’ve tried a little harder to make it look real,” one person noted.
Another criticized: “Swae Lee just had the absolute worst display of lip synching at the World Cup that you will ever see. Criminal. Even ishowspeed did a better job. Absolutely embarrassing.”
The Independent has reached out to Post Malone and Speed for comment.
After the performance, Speed gushed on his livestream that it had been an “unbelievable experience.”
“I’m not gonna lie, I was dumb nervous,” the influencer admitted. “I couldn’t even move my legs at some point.”
The closing ceremony, which started shortly after 1:30 p.m. Eastern, also featured performances from Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Jennifer Hudson sang the U.S. national anthem, and Tom Cruise gave a speech.
It comes as the final is set to feature the first-ever full halftime show in the history of the World Cup with another star-studded show. The 11-minute performance will be headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS.
The halftime show was curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and will feature additional appearances by Burna Boy and composer Gustavo Dudamel.
