Rod Stewart faces backlash after attending Scotland’s World Cup match the day after cancelling concert

Sir Rod Stewart has been hit with a backlash after he jetted off to Boston to watch Scotland take on Haiti in the 2026 World Cup, just hours after cancelling his concert due to ill-health.

The 81-year-old rocker had been due to perform at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California near San Diego on Friday night (12 June).

However, just 40 minutes before he was due to take to the stage he cancelled the gig.

A statement posted to Instagram read: “Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California.

“He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctor, and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take the stage this evening.”

In another slide, Stewart shared a shot of himself in the empty theatre, and wrote: “Well, here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down behind me. 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, but, unfortunately, it just wasn’t possible.

“I will do my utmost to reschedule. Rod.”

The next day, Stewart shared a video of himself on a private jet with his sons Liam, 31 and Alastair, 20.

“Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup,” Stewart said in the video.

“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.

"So we want them to get through to the next round and I'll die a happy man. That would be great. C'mon Scotland!"

Captioning the clip, Stewart wrote: "Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland in the World Cup! No Scotland, no party.”

The singer and his two sons were then spotted celebrating at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough where Scotland secured a 1-0 win over Haiti.

However, Stewart's attendance at the game didn’t go well with fans who had traveled to San Diego for the cancelled concert.

One wrote: “This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night. Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?”

“Hey Rod, lost a little respect for you canceling your concert the night before disappointing a stadium full of people,” a second added.

Another fan said he appreciated that sometimes events must be cancelled, but accused Stewart of being ‘tone-deaf’ by showing himself ‘celebrating on a plane’ just hours later.

“A little empathy and awareness would have gone a long way,” they added.

Others defended Stewart, saying that the singer had been following doctor’s advice and noting that his voice sounded a little hoarse in the clip.

Speaking to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a representative for Stewart said they had spoken to his doctor on Friday and ‘what we posted was accurate’.

The rep then went on to say that Stewart had been given ‘a few rounds of steroids and treatment in the hopes of being able to perform. He was there (at the venue) but we had to text because he had no voice. Evidently, (the steroids) kicked in but too late for the show’.

LADbible has reached out to Sir Rod’s reps for comment.