Robbie Williams clarifies mystery substance was a mint after World Cup clip

Robbie Williams clarifies mystery substance was a mint after World Cup clip

Robbie Williams has addressed online speculation after a white substance was filmed falling from his mouth during an interview at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. The singer used a social media video on Monday, July 20, to clarify that the object was simply a mint.

The incident occurred during the championship game on Sunday, July 19, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. While speaking to the German TV station Magenta Sport, a small white lozenge popped out of Williams' mouth and landed on his microphone. In the viral clip, Williams retrieved the object and rubbed it onto his forehead, where it remained stuck.

In his Instagram response, Williams apologized for the moment, stating:

"Just like to apologize for the object that fell onto the microphone yesterday. It was deeply unprofessional and people worried about me. But it's OK 'cause I have several more."

Robbie Williams, via Instagram

To resolve the mystery, the musician laughed and stuck out his tongue to show two additional mints. He captioned the video, Just woke up and feeling…. Mint 😀 x.

The clip sparked social media chatter, with some viewers suggesting the substance was cocaine. This speculation followed Williams' well-documented history of addiction. In 2022, Williams told The Irish Times that he had been a fully-fledged, fully-blown, self-medicating addict during the '90s, describing the experience as sad and depressing and tiring.

Earlier this month, Williams told the Spanish newspaper El País that he has not drunk in 25 years. He noted that while dealing with life is the difficult part, he now trusts himself enough to handle anxiety without relapsing into cocaine use. Williams also reflected in a Take That documentary released earlier this year that his life had once spiralled out of control so severely that his manager determined he needed rehab.

Williams appeared at the final in a blue sequinned tracksuit to perform the official anthem, Desire, alongside Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger. The performance was part of a closing ceremony and a broader effort by Fifa to mirror the Super Bowl half-time show to cater to American viewing habits. This included a 30-minute intermission rather than the standard 15 minutes.

The spectacle featured a wide array of stars, including:

• Justin Bieber, who performed Everything Hallelujah with an acoustic guitar.
• Madonna, Shakira, and Burna Boy.
• All seven members of BTS.
• Chris Martin of Coldplay, appearing with the Muppets, including Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.

The American-style format drew criticism from soccer figures. Former England striker Wayne Rooney, attending as a BBC pundit, described the show as crap. Former England midfielder Scott Parker wrote in The Telegraph that the decision to change the intermission was made without considering the players.

Despite the controversy surrounding the event, Williams is preparing for a stadium tour across New Zealand and Australia in support of his 13th studio album, Britpop. The tour includes stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Newcastle, alongside Auckland and Christchurch. Williams will be supported by The Lottery Winners, G Flip in Australia, and Drax Project in New Zealand.