Eminem Allegedly Turned Down $9 Million For World Cup Final Performance In Qatar

Eminem reportedly turned down about $9 million to perform at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.

Eminem and 50 Cent, the rap duo, were reportedly offered a total deal of $9 million to perform at the Qatar-hosted 2022 FIFA World Cup final. However, according to 50 Cent, Eminem didn't want to do it and turned down the dream offer. 50 Cent, the 47-year-old rapper, opened up about the dream deal in a new interview with Real 92.3's Big Boy's Neighborhood show, People reported.

"Because of the Super Bowl, I got an inquiry about World Cup and they had a budget of $9 million," said 50 Cent.

"I would've taken one [million] and then the other eight [million] would have been for him."

After he learned about the deal, he then had a conversation with Eminem's team about the idea.

"They're like, 'He's not gonna do it,'" recalled 50 Cent. "If you would do a one-off show, maybe you would do the biggest live sporting event in the world."

It's unclear why Eminem turned down the offer. However, Qatar faced a lot of controversy around the World Cup for its systemic discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community and the reported deaths of 37 migrant workers who were helping to construct the stadiums where the games were held, Daily Star reported.

In Nov. 2022, footballer David Beckham was also criticized for signing on as an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup by fans.

The World Cup final, in which Argentina beat France on penalties, was preceded by the closing ceremony of the tournament which had singing acts.

During the closing ceremony, a collaboration took place between Puerto Rican singer Ozuna and French rapper Gims, with other performers including Rahma Riad, Nora Fatehi, Manal, and Balqees. Meanwhile, Argentine vocalist Lali Esposito and Egyptian Farrah Eldibany sang the national anthems.

Other performers at the 2022 Qatar World Cup included Jung Kook of BTS, Black Eyed Peas, and J Balvin.

Several other artists who refused to perform at the World Cup in Qatar include Shakira, Dua Lipa, and Rod Stewart.

"They offered me a huge amount of money, over a million dollars for the performance. Stewart said.

"I turned it down because I don't think it's right to go to a country with those ideas and values."