Overview
- Post Malone opened a three-song prefinal set at MetLife Stadium on Sunday that included the live debut of an unreleased track called "Chrome Heartbreaker," a performance of "Wow.", and a closing rendition of "Sunflower" with Swae Lee about 90 minutes before kickoff.
- YouTube streamer IShowSpeed performed his song "World Cup (Champions)" during the same pregame spectacle and viewers on X and other platforms quickly posted videos and comments accusing both acts of lip‑syncing.
- Social posts described perceived mismatches between vocals and mouth movements and labeled segments of the show as prerecorded, while immediate reactions from performers were limited to IShowSpeed calling the experience "unbelievable" and saying he was "dumb nervous."
- FIFA and organizers had billed the ceremony as a cultural highlight that blended sport and pop culture, and the production featured fireworks, a marching band, celebrity cameos including Tom Cruise, and Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem.
- Stadium shows often use backing tracks or playback for technical reasons, but no technical explanation has been published yet and the outcry could prompt closer scrutiny of live‑sound practices and clearer disclosure from producers and broadcasters.