Rod Stewart, widely regarded as Scotland's most passionate celebrity supporter, is at the centre of a growing controversy after cancelling a concert — citing health reasons — only to be spotted celebrating at Scotland's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match hours later.

Stewart, 81, was due to perform in Chula Vista, near San Diego in Southern California, on Friday evening. The show was called off less than an hour before curtain time, with the singer diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection and laryngitis. In a statement released on Friday, Stewart wrote: