FIFA Haven't Invited a Comedian to World Cup Draw Since Chaotic Robin Williams Act

FIFA haven’t invited a comedian to a World Cup draw since Robin Williams took the p*ss during the 1993 event.

On Friday evening, the highly-anticipated draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

England and Scotland are among the expanded 48 countries set to compete in the competition as it takes place across the United States of America, Mexico and Canada next summer.

Supermodel Heidi Klum, comedian Kevin Hart and actor and producer Danny Ramirez will co-host the draw on Friday, with music performances from Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hart's inclusion in the draw marks the first time that a comedian is involved in a FIFA draw since Robin Williams back in 1993, and it's not hard to see why.

Ahead of the 1994 World Cup, hosted in the USA, Williams was asked to draw the balls from pot four for, yet spent the bulk of time messing around and repeatedly making fun of then FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Blatter went as far as to reference one of Williams’ most famous movies, Mrs Doubtfire, which the comedian quickly pounced upon.

The event, which drew a number of laughs at the expense of the draw itself and Blatter, was the last time that a comedian was invited to take part.

Robin Williams passed away in 2014

Sadly, Williams, who starred in Aladdin, Jumanji and Good Will Hunting, among others, passed away in 2014 due to suicide by hanging.

Shortly after his death, then US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Williams, saying: “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between.

“He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets.”

World Cup draw hosts revealed

This year, FIFA have invited actors Hart and Ramirez, to co-host alongside model Klum.

“To be hosting the final draw again, after having been involved in this show 20 years ago in my home country, is truly extraordinary,” Klum said.

“The World Cup brings the world together like nothing else, and being part of that magic again, on an even bigger stage involving three host countries and 48 teams, is an incredible honour.”

Ramirez, meanwhile, added, “As someone who grew up playing football, getting to co-host the draw and meet and speak with World Cup legends at such a high-profile event is a dream.

“With this tournament coming to the United States, where I was born, and Mexico, where some of my roots lie, it is even more special - and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this show.”

Iconic musicians set to perform

In addition, Bocelli, Scherzinger and Williams will also perform live at the event in Washington, while former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand will conduct the draw.

Once the draw is concluded, Village People will perform their iconic hit Y.M.C.A. to round off the event.

The event starts at 5pm GMT on Friday, 5th December, with the likes of England, Spain, Argentina and Brazil, along with co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada, set to learn their fate ahead football’s showpiece next summer.