Kevin Hart faced significant backlash online after serving as a co-host for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The globally broadcast ceremony unveiled the group-stage lineup for next summer’s tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Still, viewers quickly shifted their attention from the draw itself to the show’s tone.
Hart co-hosted alongside German supermodel and television personality Heidi Klum before an audience of international fans, dignitaries, and football executives. While Klum’s hosting drew relatively mild feedback, Hart’s comedic approach, which was filled with crowd interactions and off-the-cuff jokes, sparked widespread criticism. Many fans argued that the event veered too far into variety-show territory, overshadowing what was meant to be a prestigious moment for world football.
Kevin Hart’s Hosting Prompts Furious Fan Reaction During 2026 World Cup Draw Ceremony
During his opening monologue, Hart tried to establish himself as a genuine football fan, telling the audience, “I am proud to be here as a soccer fan. Wait, correction. I should not say soccer. The rest of the world calls it football. 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.”
His remarks were intended to bridge American and global sports culture, but many viewers found the comparisons awkward rather than charming. Social media reaction was immediate and harsh.
One viewer wrote, “Americans are so cringe talking about football, get Kevin Hart off my screen.” Another commented, “This World Cup draw is going to be a humiliation ritual for Americans. How the f**k is Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum our representatives of the sport in this country?”
A third user added, “Going from Bocelli to Kevin Hart is the biggest L America has ever taken,” referencing Andrea Bocelli’s earlier performance. Reports noted that Hart repeatedly tried to energize the crowd, calling out, “You guys can do better than that. Come on. Make some noise in the air one time,” yet the audience remained largely unresponsive.
Observers described the atmosphere as flat, with Hart’s enthusiasm failing to connect with the room. Criticism extended beyond Hart’s hosting. The ceremony itself came under fire for its pacing, as the actual draw did not begin until roughly 87 minutes into the broadcast.
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Viewers sat through musical numbers, speeches, and celebrity segments long before any tournament groups were revealed, adding to the overall frustration surrounding the event. The 2026 World Cup tournament will feature an expanded format with 48 teams divided into 12 groups.
The draw event was intended to mark a historic milestone for the first jointly hosted World Cup across three nations, but discussions after the broadcast focused more on presentation choices than football outcomes.
Among those attending in person were New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, and former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who is also a minority owner of Gotham FC. Kraft later appeared in a social media photo at the venue alongside Hart and the Village People, the music group that performed during the event.
7 Funniest Jokes From Kevin Hart’s Netflix special Acting My Age
Kevin Hart’s Netflix stand-up special Acting My Age, filmed in Miami and released in December 2025, centers on aging, family life, injuries, and celebrity culture. The hour leans heavily on Hart’s signature style: physical comedy, exaggerated voices, and long, winding stories that eventually circle back into callbacks.
The special’s biggest jokes include:
1. The Footrace That Ended in Injury
Hart revisits his infamous race against Stevan Ridley, bragging about his running technique before suddenly realizing mid-stride that something was very wrong. He jokes about panicking during medical scans and yelling, “They’re trying to take my DNA.” The story evolves into material about losing his independence while stuck in a wheelchair.
2. Michael Jordan and His Sons
Hart jokes that Michael Jordan’s sons Marcus and Jeffrey didn’t inherit their father’s dominance, saying Jordan “pitched a f*****g dud.” He imagines them designing shoes and playing Fortnite instead of entering the NBA. He also calls Jordan a “horrible dresser” and adds the punchline: “Michael dresses like a pregnant lesbian.”
3. Gas Station Pills
Hart recalls buying performance pills from a gas station, admitting, “I was getting my d**k pills from the gas station.” He name-drops brands like Rhino XL and Silverback 45 Pro and jokes that the pills changed him so much his wife started using his full name.
4. The Ginger Ale Myth
Roasting the belief that ginger ale cures everything, Hart says, “You wanna know what’s not in ginger ale? Ginger.” He jokes about people treating it like actual medicine.
5. Family Dinner Confession
Hart tells a story about a family dinner where his nephew stood up and announced, “I want y’all to know I’m gay.” When his aunt tried to interrupt, Hart says he snapped, “Sit your fat a** down, Pat.”
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6. The Quincy Jones Bit
Hart portrays Quincy Jones as fearlessly honest in old age, repeating the outrageous claim, “I f***** all The Supremes,” as part of a story about elderly bluntness.
7. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Hart describes a family trip to Rwanda where tourists stand just feet away from gorillas. He recalls soldiers arriving with guns, a silverback suddenly appearing, and then ties the whole encounter back to the earlier gas station pill story.
