Kevin Hart faces criticism for football jokes in US 2026 World Cup draw

Kevin Hart, American comedian and actor, hosted the 2026 Copa Mundo Group Giveaway alongside model Heidi Klum at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:57 pm ET. The event defined the initial clashes for the tournament expanded to 48 teams, hosted by Estados Unidos, México and Canadá from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The choice of

The ceremony included musical performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and the group Village People, as well as the presence of figures such as president-elect Hart, known for films such as Jumanji and stand-up specials, emphasized being a fan of the sport, but his comparisons between football players and American athletes, such as

• Fans highlighted Hart’s lack of connection with professional football.
• The height difference between Hart (1.63m) and guests like Shaquille O’Neal (2.16m) became a viral meme.
• Criticism focused on the contrast with previous events, such as the 2006 draw hosted by Klum alone.

Starting moments of the event

The draw opened with Hart correcting himself by calling the sport “football” instead of “soccer” in an effort to align with the global term. Essa statement, made in the opening monologue, aimed to show familiarity, but quickly became the target of ironic comments.

Notable presences, such as Robert Kraft, owner of New England Patriots, and Aaron Judge, hitter of New York Yankees, reinforced the American bias of the show, which intensified reactions from international fans.

Reactions on social media

Users of online platforms expressed discomfort with the presence of Hart, describing the moment as embarrassing. A common comment pointed to the transition from classic performances, such as that of Bocelli, to the humor of Hart, seen as inappropriate for a global sporting event.

Another wave of posts questioned representation, with phrases like “Americans humiliating football” gaining traction within hours. Hart’s interaction with Klum, marked by a height difference of around 12 cm, was also explored in light memes, but did not overshadow the main criticisms.

The repercussion spread to discussions about the production of Fifa, with some users suggesting presenters more linked to the sport, such as former players.

Draw details and new format

The process distributed the 48 teams into 12 groups of four teams each, with fixed hosts: México in A, Canadá in B and USA in D. The top 4 in the Fifa ranking — Espanha,

Hart led transitions between the team pots, interspersed with interventions by Shaquille O’Neal, who drew balls and generated involuntary laughter due to his contrasting stature. Fifa highlighted that the expanded format will allocate 16 places to Uefa, nine to Caf and so on, with playoffs in March 2026 defining the last six.

Presences such as Eli Manning, idol of New York Giants, and actor Danny Ramirez, who interviewed football legends, added layers to the event, but did not dispel criticism of the overall tone.

Brasil fell in Grupo C, alongside Marrocos, Escócia and Haiti, with games scheduled in Boston, Miami and

Star and guest appearances

Robert Kraft appeared in an official photo alongside Hart and Village People, a group that performed sports anthems at the closing ceremony. Essa image circulated widely, symbolizing the fusion between American entertainment and Mundial.

Aaron Judge and Eli Manning, both US sports icons, sat in the audience, reinforcing Fifa’s strategy of attracting a local audience to the joint tournament.

The participation of Trump, alongside Claudia Sheinbaum, president of México, and Mark Carney, of Canadá, raised the political profile of the draw, with short speeches about continental unity.

Comparisons with previous editions

Past events, such as the 2018 draw in Rússia with local actors, maintained a strict focus on the sport, unlike the 2026 production. The selection of Klum, who returned after 2006 in

Fifa opted for a two-hour show, including shows, which extended the time beyond the usual 90 minutes and fueled complaints about excessive length.

Critics noted that editions like the 2014 one on Brasil prioritized efficiency, with neutral presenters, contrasting with this year’s Hollywood style.

Impact on expectations for the tournament

The draw confirmed that 16 cities in the three countries will host games, with record attendance expected thanks to renovated arenas. The power protection rule aims to maintain balance, but fans are already debating accessible keys, such as the Grupos C, F, H and J.

Hart, despite the backlash, stuck to the schedule, announcing subsequent pot teams without major interruptions. Fifa reported broadcasting to billions, but the online buzz focused more on the host than the defined groups.

The initial response suggests that the event, designed to promote football in América of Norte, may have underestimated global preferences for sobriety.

Musical and cultural elements

Bocelli’s opening performance set an operatic tone, followed by Scherzinger in pop numbers and Williams in classic hits. Esses segments, interspersed with the draw, aimed to entertain a diverse audience.

Village People, with iconic costumes, closed with “Y.M.C.A.”, an anthem adopted in stadiums, but some online viewers saw it as disconnected from the football context.

These cultural acts highlighted the fusion between Mundial and entertainment, a pillar of Fifa’s 2026 strategy.

Next steps post-draw

The teams are now preparing friendlies and final qualifiers, with Irã absent due to a previously announced boycott. Fifa plans to reveal exact game dates soon, focusing on logistics for the 104 total clashes.

Global fans, despite criticism, praised the visibility given to emerging nations such as Haiti and Escócia in the same group as Brasil.

The event reinforced the commitment to expansion, but voices online are calling for adjustments to future ceremonies to prioritize sport.