The glitzy ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., was meant to spotlight the tournament's upcoming co-hosts and the fate of the 48 competing nations. Instead, a significant portion of the spotlight landed on the event's host, comedian Kevin Hart, for a series of awkward and cringeworthy moments that quickly went viral.
A Monologue That Missed the Mark
Hart, who co-hosted the December 5, 2025, event at the Kennedy Center with supermodel Heidi Klum, opened with a monologue intended to showcase his soccer fandom. The attempt, however, largely fell flat with the global football audience. In his speech, Hart tried to draw parallels between soccer icons and legends from other American sports.
"I am proud to be here as a soccer fan," Hart said, before correcting himself. "Wait, correction. I should not say soccer. The rest of the world calls it football." He then continued, "I do know my Messi from my Michael Jordan, I know my Cristiano from my Stephen Curry, I know my Bellingham from my Tom Brady." The references were to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jude Bellingham, respectively.
The forced comparisons were met with immediate backlash on social media platform X, where fans criticized the segment as painfully out of touch with the sport's culture.
Social Media Erupts in Second-Hand Embarrassment
Soccer fans watching the draw did not hold back their opinions online. One viewer posted, "Americans are so cringe talking about football get kevin hart off my screen." Another pleaded, "Can we skip the whole thing and just go straight to the draw because Nah bruh, Kevin Hart is really trying but yeah let’s just wrap it up." A third comment captured a broader sentiment of national embarrassment: "This World Cup draw is going to be a humiliation ritual for Americans. How the f— is Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum our representatives of the sport in this country."
An Awkward Exchange with the FIFA President
The uncomfortable moments for Hart did not end with his monologue. A later interaction with FIFA President Gianni Infantino added another layer of viral awkwardness. As Infantino walked on stage to greet the hosts, he approached Klum for a hug. Hart simultaneously extended his hand for a handshake, only to be seemingly gestured away by Infantino, who said, "ladies first, ladies first," before finally turning to embrace the comedian.
Hart responded with a "Get out of here," before accepting the hug. It remains unclear whether the entire exchange was a rehearsed bit or a genuine, awkward snub, but the moment was captured and dissected across social media and news outlets.
The Draw Proceeds Amid the Drama
Despite the off-pitch theatrics, the primary purpose of the event—the draw for the first 48-team World Cup—proceeded. The results placed co-host Canada in Group A alongside Qatar, Switzerland, and the winner of a European playoff. This sets the stage for Canada's opening match of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The draw ultimately succeeded in mapping out the initial phase of the historic 2026 tournament, but the lasting memory for many viewers will be the series of clumsy and cringe-inducing moments delivered by its celebrity host, proving that even at the world's biggest sporting events, comedy and sports can be an unpredictable mix.
