The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw was supposed to be a glamorous curtain-raiser for football’s biggest tournament, but instead it has become the internet’s latest cringe spectacle. Co-hosts Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum found themselves at the centre of widespread criticism after a series of awkward moments, misplaced jokes, and jarring interactions overshadowed what should have been a smooth, celebratory event.
The ceremony, intended to showcase the sport’s unity and the excitement of a historic 48-team World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, quickly veered off-script. Hart’s trademark high-energy humour clashed with the formal rhythm of the draw, while Klum’s attempts to keep the show on track often led to unnatural pauses and uncomfortable back-and-forth exchanges.
Social media erupted within minutes, with viewers accusing the duo of “discovering a new level of cringe” rarely seen at a FIFA event.
At several points, the banter between the hosts fell flat, prompting visible unease from players and officials on stage. Jokes that might have landed in a comedy special appeared oddly out of place in a global event watched by millions. Hart’s improvisations sometimes disrupted the pace of the draw, and Klum’s scripted lines only amplified the sense of disconnect between the hosts and the footballing atmosphere.
Fans online drew comparisons to previous World Cup draws, noting that they typically rely on a clean, polished format with minimal distractions. Instead, this year’s event felt like a celebrity variety show struggling to find its tone. Memes, reaction videos, and sarcastic commentary flooded timelines, with many viewers insisting the star-studded pairing only highlighted how mismatched the hosts were for a football ceremony of this scale.
Despite the backlash, the actual draw proceeded without technical issues, and teams now know their paths toward the 2026 trophy. Yet, for many, the football took a back seat to the spectacle itself. As the criticism continues to swirl, FIFA may find itself rethinking the balance between showbiz flair and sporting focus for future ceremonies.
