At the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw in Washington D.C., the attention briefly moved away from soccer stars and focused on a funny moment between two famous American athletes. Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, made a joke on social media about NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. His joke quickly became very popular online and turned a serious event into a fun viral moment.
The Star-Studded Setup for the World Cup Draw
The ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was already expected to be big and exciting. This World Cup will be the first with 48 teams and will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To make the event special, FIFA invited famous athletes from major North American sports to help with the group draw. This idea combined world soccer with American sports culture, creating extra excitement.
These famous sports stars helped with the draw:
- Tom Brady (NFL)
- Shaquille O’Neal (NBA)
- Aaron Judge (MLB)
- Wayne Gretzky (NHL)
Each legend handled one pot of teams. Brady worked with Pot 1, which had the strongest teams. Shaq handled Pot 2, Judge handled Pot 3, and Gretzky handled Pot 4. Their appearance at the event made the draw feel like a huge North American celebration rather than just a soccer event.
The Viral Joke: Shaq as a “Backup Goalie”
During the busy and serious draw, the funniest moment came from the friendly teasing between Brady and O’Neal. After the event, Brady posted a joke online saying:
“Let’s get Shaq a backup goalie tryout!”
This short message became a major viral hit. People loved imagining Shaq, a huge 7-foot-1 basketball star, trying to be a soccer goalkeeper. The image of Shaq standing in the goal like a giant wall made everyone laugh. Fans created memes and jokes, and the moment quickly became one of the most talked-about parts of the entire event.
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Why the Cross-Sport Banter Resonated Globally
Brady’s joke became popular for several reasons:
- Funny Visual Idea: Shaq is very big, and soccer goalkeepers need quick movement. The difference made the joke instantly funny and easy to share.
- Celebrity Power: Brady and Shaq are two of the most famous athletes in the world. Any small interaction between them gets huge attention.
- World Cup Energy: The ceremony was already a huge event. A surprising funny moment spread even faster because of the global audience.
Strategic Integration into the Mega-Event
For the World Cup organizers, inviting Brady, Shaq, Judge, and Gretzky was a smart decision. It celebrated North American sports and attracted casual fans who might not normally watch soccer. The viral joke about Shaq being a “backup goalie” helped bring even more attention to the 2026 World Cup. It was free advertising and made the event feel fun and welcoming to everyone.
In the end, Tom Brady’s simple joke did more than make people laugh. It turned a normal draw ceremony into a moment that fans around the world enjoyed and shared. It showed that sometimes the best moments in big events come from unexpected humor between famous athletes.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.