MC duo Kevin Hart (left) and Heidi Klum were criticized by fans for their disjointed and uncoordinated hosting style - Photo: REUTERS
Disaster on stage
The lack of professionalism at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony was evident even in the smallest details.
The appearance of the MC duo Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum caused controversy, creating a "one short one tall" pair that was so out of place that it was hard to understand. Their awkward interactions and disjointed storytelling made the audience completely unable to find harmony.
In addition, the constant technical problems added to the carelessness of the organizers. The microphones kept malfunctioning, the stage was unkempt, and there was no subtitles for the Spanish interviews.
FIFA President's intervention
The controversial highlight was orchestrated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself, who placed US President Donald Trump at the center of the ceremony by presenting him with the brand new “FIFA Peace Prize.”
This action was heavily criticized by fans. Infantino was accused of trying to idolize Mr. Trump, reinforcing the image of a FIFA sliding into political power relationships and interests, instead of maintaining the necessary neutrality of sport.
In addition, when promoting the 2026 World Cup event at the draw ceremony, MC Kevin Hart increased the audience's curiosity when revealing: "I can tell you that for the first time, the halftime show of the World Cup final will be a big hit. Can you hear what I say?".
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (center) prevents MC Kevin Hart (left) from revealing the secret - Photo: REUTERS
At this point, just as his colleague Heidi Klum urged Hart to reveal more details, FIFA President Gianni Infantino immediately intervened with a warning: "Be careful." Infantino also gave the camera a thumbs up, an action that made the atmosphere even more dramatic and awkward.
Hart finally had to conclude: "I will not reveal the secret, because it would be a breach of the agreement. But I can say that the program will demonstrate FIFA's great partnership with the global citizenship project to billions of people around the planet."
And finally, even the most important part of the ceremony, the draw, was mired in clumsiness. The complex new grouping system required legends like Rio Ferdinand to constantly explain themselves, disrupting the flow of the show.
Worse, the face of the legendary former Man United midfielder increasingly showed fatigue and helplessness when invited support characters like Tom Brady or Shaquille O'Neal had left the stage without anyone knowing.
Rio Ferdinand (left) had to constantly explain the rules without support from his colleagues - Photo: REUTERS
The 2026 World Cup draw ended in a two-hour nightmare. It was not only a terrible event according to fans, but also a mirror of the core problems of FIFA today.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/fifa-hung-bao-chi-trich-ve-le-boc-tham-world-cup-2026-20251207094228405.htm
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