<p>The 2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/"><strong>World Cup</strong></a> draw will take place at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on November 5, in an event that will determine the path for every national team participating in the tournament. With less than a week to go, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fifa/"><strong>FIFA</strong></a><strong> has announced that sports icons </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/rio-ferdinand/"><strong>Rio Ferdinand</strong></a><strong>, Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky will lead the ceremony</strong>.</p>



<p>As in recent editions, soccer legends have traditionally overseen the draw and handled the process of pulling each team from its respective pot to reveal the matchups and group placements. This time, FIFA has opted for what it calls a “<em><strong>legendary multi-sport lineup</strong></em>“, with former England captain Ferdinand serving as the host of the event.</p>



<p>With the announcement, Ferdinand expressed his gratitude over the granted opportunity. “<em><strong>To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honour</strong>. As a player, I lived for these global stages – now I’m humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for</em>,” he said to FIFA official website.</p>



<p>The group will be rounded out by stars from across major North American leagues: the <strong>NFL’s Tom Brady</strong>, the <strong>NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal</strong>, <strong>MLB’s Aaron Judge</strong>, and the <strong>NHL’s Wayne Gretzky</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1286" height="721" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/12/03161407/Screenshot-2025-12-03-181335-1286x721.webp" alt="FIFA 2026 World Cup draw lineup." class="wp-image-607830"></figure></div><figcaption>FIFA 2026 World Cup draw lineup.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Alongside the official announcement, <a href="https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/legendary-multi-sport-line-up-rio-ferdinand-final-draw-world-cup-2026"><strong>all the legends from the different sports spoke with FIFA’s official website</strong></a>, agreeing that the World Cup draw is one of the biggest stages in global sports. In addition, another NFL legend, Eli Manning, will host the red carpet, welcoming all the celebrities attending the ceremony.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifas-boldest-var-overhaul-yet-two-new-2026-world-cup-rules-could-change-soccer-forever/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20251202_WST_607604_VAR-referee.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As FIFA prepares the framework for the 2026 World Cup, soccer’s lawmakers are weighing their most ambitious Video Assistant Referee expansion yet—one that could reshape how the sport is officiated at its highest level.
" title="FIFA’s boldest VAR overhaul yet: Two new 2026 World Cup rules could change soccer forever" publication_id="WST#/news/fifas-boldest-var-overhaul-yet-two-new-2026-world-cup-rules-could-change-soccer-forever/"></div>


<h2>World Cup draw and the performing artists</h2>



<p>With 48 teams set to take part in the tournament, the 2026 World Cup draw is expected to be another global spectacle for the largest edition ever staged, drawing interest from around the world. With such a unique opportunity, <strong>FIFA has also lined up international artists who will perform during the ceremony</strong>.</p>



<p>Italian tenor <strong>Andrea Bocelli</strong> will deliver a special performance at the draw, with <strong>global stars Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger</strong> also scheduled to take the stage. In addition, after the draw concludes, <strong>Village People</strong> will return to perform their iconic hit “<em><strong>Y.M.C.A.</strong></em>”</p>


FIFA names Rio Ferdinand, Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky to lead 2026 World Cup draw ceremony

FIFA names Rio Ferdinand, Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky to lead 2026 World Cup draw ceremony - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Former NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is reportedly eyeing a potential piece of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a>. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13573907/NBA-Shaquille-ONeal-English-football-West-Ham.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reports</a> out of England claim that the superstar became enthralled with the club after a recent visit across the pond. According to the assertions, Shaq attended a match at West Ham’s London Stadium during the 2023/24 campaign. The former basketball star had a great time at the game.</p>



<p>Assuming the deal does get finalized, Shaq would be next in a long line of American <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> investors. Clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all currently owned by billionaires hailing from the United States.</p>



<p>However, prominent American sports stars have flocked to England to invest in soccer teams as well. For instance, LeBron James became a minority owner of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> back in 2011 after purchasing 2% of the team. He then increased his shares of the Reds a decade later. NFL stars such as Tom Brady and J.J. Watt also invested in English clubs in 2023 as well. Brady bought a small portion of Birmingham City and Watt invested in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/burnley-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Burnley</a>.</p>



<h2>Select shares of West Ham are currently for sale</h2>



<p>While rumors are circulating regarding Shaq’s interest in West Ham, <a href="https://www.claretandhugh.info/no-shaq-takeover-but-hammers-sale-still-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">team insiders</a> claim to be unaware of a potential deal. Sources supposedly say that there are no current discussions between the two sides. This, however, does not necessarily mean that the retired NBA star will not eventually make a move. </p>



<p>A portion of the Hammers is up for sale. Vanessa Gold owns these shares. West Ham, unlike many other big European teams, has an array of owners. David Sullivan is currently the club’s top shareholder with a 39% stake in the team. Nevertheless, several other investors hold fairly significant chunks of the top-flight team as well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/16040510/Shaq-Premier-League-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-513734" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>The Gold family, led by Vanessa, reportedly owns just over 25% of West Ham. This makes the current co-chair of the club the third-biggest investor at the helm. Despite her position with the Hammers, potential investors would be purchasing at least a portion of Gold’s stake in the club.</p>



<h2>A potential move for a slice of Hammers makes sense for Shaq</h2>



<p>While West Ham ownership is actively shopping shares of the team, a deal is not close. Investors are also not expected to take over a majority stronghold of the club either. This means that an investor such as Shaq would seemingly work out well. The popular American figure likely could not afford to buy the entire team but would be able to purchase select shares.</p>



<p>Along with raking in serious money during his NBA career, Shaq has also made several successful business ventures off of the court. The beloved basketball star was reportedly an early investor in Google and Ring doorbells. He also currently owns several restaurant franchises including Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme and Five Guys.</p>



<p>Outside of the business aspect of the club, West Ham is embracing significant changes ahead of the 2024/25 season. Team officials recently chose not to offer former manager David Moyes a new contract. As a result, the Hammers then hired former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/wolves-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Wolves</a> manager Julen Lopetegui to take the reins. The club will play two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">summer friendlies</a> in the United States before beginning their Premier League campaign against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/aston-villa-tv-schedule/">Aston Villa</a> on August 17.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


Shaq rumored to be interested in West Ham investment

Former NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is reportedly eyeing a potential minority investment in Premier League side West Ham.

<p>The Inside the NBA crew may be full of hall of fame basketball players, but their soccer penalties could use some work.</p>



<p>On Monday night’s edition of Inside the NBA, former USMNT defender Demarcus Beasley and USWNT World Cup winner Julie Foudy joined the show. The pair went on to promote TNT and Warner Bros. Discovery’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/us-soccer-national-team-to-make-hbo-max-debut-in-january-20221202-WST-410783.html">debut of the USWNT</a> on Tuesday. Foudy and Beasley are both on the coverage team for that game against New Zealand set for 10:05 p.m. ET. It is the debut of US Soccer under its <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer-announce-new-tv-deal-turner-sports-20220301-CMS-373327.html">new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Inside Crew Penalty Kicks With Julie Foudy + DaMarcus Beasley | EJ&apos;s Neato Stat of The Night" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NFrmFMULt6g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>Foudy and Beasley had the Inside the NBA crew set up a small goal. Then, each of the traditional panel members, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, took one or two shots. Johnson struck the post. However, Kenny Smith tried to deke goalkeeper Charles Barkley by missing a free throw. Unfortunately, the penalty was as wide as the intentional miss on the free throw, making the basketball boys 0/2.</p>



<p>Shaq saved face, though. Like a 7’6 Kylian Mbappé in the World Cup Final, the Big Diesel slotted the penalty past Charles Barkley. Barkley could not get revenge, missing one of his spot kicks and forcing a save out of O’Neal on the other.</p>



<h5>Beasley answers the call</h5>



<p>Smith, Barkley and O’Neal are greats of the game of basketball, however they looked like newborns playing soccer. Beasley, who played 20 seasons of professional soccer in North America and Europe, had the task of sinking a free throw, perhaps the equivalent in challenge to a penalty.</p>



<p>With all the pressure of Hall of Famers watching and the weight of the soccer world on his shoulders, Beasley sunk the basket from the charity stripe. To be fair, he needed a couple of bounces.</p>



<h2>Inside the NBA penalties not first time they practiced soccer</h2>



<p>This is not the first time the Inside the NBA crew kicked around a soccer ball. Moreover, the clip from Monday is not Foudy’s first appearance on Inside the NBA. In 2001, during the launch of the Women’s Soccer Association, Foudy took shots against Barkley.</p>



<p>Then, four years ago, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KJfKCY7K8k">Stu Holden and Maurice Edu</a> joined the crew to promote the Champions League on TNT. The Inside the NBA talent took free kicks, still unimpressively. </p>


Inside the NBA crew practices penalties before USWNT debut

Inside the NBA took some penalties as they prepared for HBO Max and TNT's debut of the USWNT on Tuesday, with slim success coming.

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