A Draw to Remember: 2026 World Cup Hosts Spark Mixed Reactions
Well, it seems everyone had their eyes glued to the screen, and it felt a bit, you know, awkward.
On Friday, Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum hosted the 2026 World Cup draw, which caught the attention of viewers from nearly every corner of the globe. Almost immediately, social media exploded with opinions from soccer fans questioning Hart’s role in the event.
During his monologue, Hart took a stab at showcasing some soccer skills.
“I’m a proud soccer fan,” he said, before awkwardly correcting himself, “or, uh, football, I mean.” He then mentioned legends like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jude Bellingham, likening them to American sports icons such as Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, which—well, maybe that comparison didn’t sit right with everyone.
For those not in the loop, he was, of course, referring to Argentina’s Messi, Portugal’s Ronaldo, and England’s Bellingham. But still, reactions were mixed. Some soccer aficionados expressed their dissatisfaction over the choice of hosts for an event being held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
One user lamented, “Americans hate talking about football so much, please take Kevin Hart off your screen.” Another chimed in with “This World Cup pairing is just a humiliation for Americans. How awful that Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum represent this country’s sport.”
In a more humorous jab, someone wrote, “The transition from Bocelli to Kevin Hart is the biggest thing in American history,” referencing the event’s opening performance by renowned singer Andrea Bocelli.
The draw itself is crucial—it will establish the teams’ placements for next summer’s tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Among other notable figures present was Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who joined Hart and the Village People at the Kennedy Center. The event also attracted other American sports stars, including Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Eli Manning, a Giants great, who is also a minority owner of Gotham FC.
