Singer Rod Stewart has offered an explanation for attending a FIFA World Cup match just hours after canceling a sold-out concert in San Diego, admitting the situation "weren't a good look" but asserting he made the trip for his sons.

Stewart, 81, addressed the controversy in an interview, stating he had to cancel the June 13 concert at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre due to an acute upper respiratory infection that caused laryngitis. He had initially been diagnosed with a sinus infection.

The cancellation occurred just 40 minutes before the scheduled performance. Fans expressed anger when Stewart subsequently posted a video of himself traveling by private jet with his sons, Aidan and Alastair, to Boston for a World Cup match between Scotland and Haiti. Photos from the game showed Stewart in the stands, wearing Scottish colors.

"I really shouldn't have gone to the Haiti game," Stewart told TalkSPORT, Talk and Virgin Radio UK. "But the truth is, Jim, I wasn't going to let my two sons down. I promised them since they were born that we were going to go to a World Cup. And this is the first one that's come about. And it wasn't a good look, I admit, but I'm going to have to just take the stick. So I did it for the boys."

Critics questioned how Stewart could travel and attend a sporting event after claiming he was too ill to perform. A representative for the singer had previously stated that Stewart's illness was legitimate and that he had undergone treatment in an attempt to proceed with the show. The representative added that Stewart had arrived at the venue but was unable to speak, communicating via text message.

Stewart acknowledged the criticism, conceding that his appearance at the World Cup match created a poor impression. He reiterated that the trip was a fulfillment of a long-standing promise to his sons, who accompanied him to the tournament. He also expressed optimism about Scotland's World Cup prospects and praised the team's supporters.

Despite the controversy, Stewart indicated he was recovering from the illness that led to the San Diego concert cancellation.