sportsneutral

World Cup Draw: A Mixed Bag of Entertainment and Sports

Washington, D.C., USASaturday, December 6, 2025
Advertisement

The 2026 World Cup draw was a spectacle that left many scratching their heads. It started with Andrea Bocelli's powerful vocals and Kevin Hart's jokes, but the real show began when Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared together. The event was a mix of sports, politics, and entertainment, with a lot of weird moments in between.

Highlights and Oddities

  • Shaquille O'Neal joked about his nickname in the soccer world.
  • Wayne Gretzky struggled with pronunciation.
  • Gianni Infantino handed Donald Trump a "Peace Prize," which seemed out of place.
  • The event was filled with multicultural elements but felt very American, as pointed out by Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch.

The Draw Itself

The draw itself was a bit of a mess. After over an hour of waiting, the actual draw finally happened. But by then, many viewers were already confused. The event featured a mix of serious sports moments and cringeworthy skits, like a "draw conductor bootcamp" with Rio Ferdinand and British kids.

Notable Appearances

  • Lionel Scaloni, the World Cup-winning coach of Argentina, made an appearance.
  • Lauryn Hill brought some energy to the stage.
  • Donald Trump's speech was relatively understated, which was a shock given his usual style.

The Bizarre Ending

The event ended with the Village People performing "Y. M. C. A.," and Trump even danced along. It was a bizarre ending to a bizarre event. The 2026 World Cup promises to be big and brash, but it's anyone's guess what will happen next summer.

Actions