The draw for the group stage of the Copa of the Mundo of 2026 took place this Friday, December 5th, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, capital of the Estados Unidos. The ceremony, led by Fifa, defined the initial clashes for the tournament that will be played in 16 cities in México, Estados Unidos and Canadá, from June 11th to July 19th. Além of sports definitions, an unusual moment between former basketball player Shaquille O’Neal and actor Kevin Hart drew attention on social media due to the height difference between the two.
Shaquille O’Neal, 2.16 meters tall, participated in the draw by removing marbles from pot 2, while Kevin Hart, 1.57 meters tall, acted as one of the presenters alongside model Heidi Klum. The scene of the two side by side, before the official start of the event, generated immediate reactions online, with users sharing images and videos that highlighted the physical contrast.
The event brought together personalities from various sports and entertainment, including music shows and awards shows, to attract a global audience. México, as host, will open the tournament against África of Sul in Estádio Azteca, in Cidade of
Ceremony opens with musical and sporting attractions
Presentations by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Lauryn Hill started the programming at Kennedy Center. The artists performed at local times in the afternoon, contributing to the festive tone of the ceremony.
The draw itself began after the performances, with Rio Ferdinand and Samantha Johnson in charge of the main draws. The presence of figures such as Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky reinforced the North American character of the event.
Groups defined for hosts and main selections
Mexico was in Grupo A, with games already scheduled in Estádio Azteca. Estados Unidos and Canadá occupy Grupos B and D as seeds, respectively.
- Brazil at Grupo C, debuting against Marrocos at Boston.
- Argentina in the Grupo F, facing early South American rivals.
- France and Inglaterra in separate brackets to balance European powers.
These distributions consider geographical and Fifa ranking criteria to avoid early clashes between favorites.
Shaquille O’Neal takes marbles from the middle pot
Shaquille O’Neal took the stage to pull selections from pot 2, which includes mid-sized teams like Croácia and Uruguai. Sua participation highlighted the integration of NBA idols into football.
The former center, retired since 2011, briefly commented on the excitement of the tournament on American soil. The interaction with Hart occurred moments before, in an informal transition of the ceremony.
Other drawers, like baseball’s Aaron Judge, dealt with pot 4, awaiting final qualifications via playoff.
The choice of celebrities reflects Fifa’s strategy to broaden the event’s appeal beyond traditional football.
Reactions on social media explode with memes
Users shared captures of the scene on digital platforms shortly after the moment. Comentários highlighted the visual humor without changing the focus of the draw.
Kevin Hart, known for comedy, responded in kind by slightly pushing O’Neal, which increased the publications. Vídeos shorts accumulated quick views, mixing sport and entertainment.
It went viral in real time, with hashtags related to the event gaining global traction.
Internet users from different countries reacted, connecting the joke to local cultural contexts.
Context of Copa expanded to 48 teams
The 2026 edition marks the first time with 48 teams, increasing from 32 for more qualifying opportunities. Países from Concacaf, as hosts, benefit from extra spaces.
The format includes 12 groups of four teams, with the best two advancing directly and another eight via playoffs. Essa structure aims for greater inclusion of smaller confederations.
Games will be distributed in 104 total matches, with finals in Estados Unidos. Sedes like Miami and Nova York will receive duels from Brasil in the initial phase.
Role of Kevin Hart in presenting the event
Kevin Hart shared the stage with Heidi Klum, who returns to Fifa after the 2006 draw at Alemanha. The actor interacts with delegations, adding lightness to formality.
His height, a recurring theme throughout his career, was naturally integrated into the moment with O’Neal. Hart conducted opening segments, including greetings to presidents like Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum.
The presenting duo facilitated transitions to the draws, keeping the ceremony paced at around three hours.
Pot details and distribution criteria
The pots were organized by ranking Fifa and geography to balance brackets. Pote 1 brought together top seeds, including Brasil and Alemanha.
- Pot 2: Equipes as México and Senegal, drawn by O’Neal.
- Pot 3: Inclui Japão and Marrocos, extracted by Gretzky.
- Pot 4: Seis pending intercontinental playoff places.
Restrictions prevented teams from the same confederation from being in the same group, except in Concacaf.
Illustrious presences elevate the spectacle
Tom Brady, retired quarterback, drew initial selections alongside national leaders. Mark Carney, from Canadá, participated in symbolic extractions.
The absence of Iranian delegations, due to an announced boycott, did not impact progress. The event prioritized a diversity of sports.
Danny Ramirez, actor, interacts with guests on the red carpet, expanding media coverage.
Expectations for the North American tournament
The 2026 Copa expects record attendance with modern stadiums in the three countries. Global Transmissões will cover all 104 games at varying local times.
Teams prepare campsites in locations such as Seattle and Toronto for climate adaptation. Fifa announced innovations in VAR technology for accurate decisions.
Brasil, under Carlo Ancelotti, focuses on preparatory friendlies in the coming months.
