Rod Stewart Faces Backlash for Attending World Cup Game Hours After Abruptly Canceling Concert Due to Health Reasons

Desiree AnelloSun, June 14, 2026 at 9:40 PM UTC

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Rod Stewart celebrates in the stands at the FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2026Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty -

Rod Stewart shared a video of himself flying to Boston for the World Cup hours after he canceled his concert in California

His team said it was canceled "following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis"

One fan commented on his video with, "Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?"

Rod Stewart was in the stands cheering for Scotland in the World Cup hours after canceling his concert in California due to health reasons.

On Saturday, June 13, the singer-songwriter, 81, shared a Instagram video of himself flying to Boston in a private jet alongside his sons Liam, 31, and Alistair, 20.

"Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup," Stewart began in the clip. "It's been 28 years so these kids, I've told them about it, but they've never been. I've been to seven World Cups."

While the trio ended the video by enthusiastically repeating, "No Scotland, no party," some fans in the comments were quick to wonder how Stewart was traveling with such energy after canceling his show in Chula Vista, Calif., less than an hour before he was set to take the stage.

"This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night," one user wrote in the comments. "Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?"

Another fan added, "So you blew off all the people in San Diego that wanted to see you in concert but able to go to the world cup I see! I'm a huge fan of yours but I don't think that's cool."

Later that day, Stewart could be seen throwing his arms in the air as he celebrated Scotland's victory against Haiti in the stands.

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One day before he made an appearance at the World Cup, Stewart's team shared a statement to his Instagram Stories claiming that "on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take the stage this evening" — despite having already traveled to the venue.

Stewart later followed up on the announcement, which was made less than an hour before the show was scheduled to start, by adding, "Following treatment, I'm feeling much better, but my voice is not. I'm very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight."

Rod Stewart performs onstage at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalCredit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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Earlier this month, the "Maggie May" singer announced that a few of his residency performances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas would be rescheduled because his doctor "ordered a bit more rest" as he recovered from the flu.

Less than a week later, Stewart canceled four shows and postponed two more that were scheduled as part of his One Last Time Tour.

"So sorry, my friends. I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans," he wrote on Instagram. "I'll be back on stage and we'll see you soon - Sir Rod💔."

The musician's next scheduled performance is at Colorado's Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on Monday, June 15.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”