The draw held on Friday for the 2026 World Cup laid out the pathways and groupings for the teams participating in this summer’s tournament across three nations and 16 cities.

Alongside showcasing intense soccer rivalries, the ceremony was filled with memorable appearances by sports legends and entertainers. As we await the thrilling matches, here are some standout moments from Friday’s event.

Tom Brady Takes Part in the Draw

The football legend traded his pigskin for soccer balls for a day, aiding in the group assignments for the tournament. Brady selected France as the inaugural entry of Group I and followed it by drawing England for Group L, rounding it off with Portugal leading Group K.

Legends Share the Stage

Brady was joined by NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, MLB All-Star Aaron Judge from the New York Yankees, and NBA champ Shaquille O’Neal, all assisting with the draw.

Legends of Sports Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Hilarity with Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Hart

The interaction between NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and comedian Kevin Hart provided plenty of laughs, particularly given their striking differences in height. Shaq participated in the draw and also made the audience chuckle with some humorous remarks about nicknames.

Performances That Captivated

British artist Robbie Williams dazzled the audience with his song “Desire,” the official anthem for the World Cup, while Andrea Bocelli impressed everyone with his rendition of “Nessun Dorma,” despite Italy needing to qualify for the tournament.

Before the draw kicked off, acclaimed performer Lauryn Hill, alongside her sons, entertained the crowd.

Finally, the Village People closed the ceremony energetically with their classic song “YMCA,” setting the stage for the excitement of the upcoming World Cup.