• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• Bbc

Gianni Infantino slammed 'man with no shame' in brutal quip by World Cup commentator

BBC's Jonathan Pearce repeatedly criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the 2026 World Cup draw, with England drawn against Croatia in Group L

[The three host country's leaders were asked for a selfie by Infantino]

The three host country's leaders were asked for a selfie by Infantino

BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce unleashed a scathing critique of FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the 2026 World Cup draw, remarking that "the man knows no shame". The event itself was a spectacle-filled extravaganza, with musical performances and guest appearances taking centre stage, while the actual draw process seemed to be an afterthought.

Scheduled to begin at 5pm GMT, the draw was delayed, with only the host nations - USA, Mexico, and Canada - being drawn from the pot within the first hour. Infantino made multiple appearances on stage, welcoming attendees and setting the tone for the 48-team draw.

The evening kicked off with musical performances, and several football legends were interviewed in the crowd. Additionally, the inaugural FIFA peace prize was awarded to American President Donald Trump.

While some were captivated by the spectacle, many fans grew frustrated with the prolonged wait for the draw to commence.

Commentator Jonathan Pearce was among those unimpressed, taking aim at Infantino on several occasions during the broadcast. At one point, he quipped, "The man knows no shame," as the FIFA president played host and even took a selfie with the leaders of the USA, Mexico, and Canada, who were on stage to draw their respective nations from the pot.

[Gianni Infantino]

Gianni Infantino has played a key role in the FIFA World Cup draw(Image: Getty Images)

The spectacle was a bit of a facepalm moment for fans, especially when he tried to rouse the crowd into chanting USA, Mexico, or Canada. The lengthy draw didn't escape criticism either, with Pearce quipping: "Hopefully the draw will be finished in time for the first match in June."

After an hour and 20 minutes, the draw finally kicked off, with Kevin Hart introducing big names like Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O'Neal, and Aaron Judge. Pearce seemed to get a kick out of this part, chuckling as O'Neal towered over Hart.

Eventually, the draw was completed, placing England in group L, set to play their opener in Dallas or Toronto. This puts them in Brazil's half of the knockout stage, and if they top the group, they'll face a third-placed team in the round of 32.

England then drew Croatia from pot two, marking another clash between the two nations. The Three Lions last faced them in the 2018 World Cup, where they suffered a semi-final defeat under Gareth Southgate.

Don't miss a thing with football updates!

Thomas Tuchel is eager to maintain the stellar form his squad displayed during the qualifiers, winning all eight matches without letting in a single goal. "I'm not sure if I know the starting XI but I know players I'm certain I want to have with us in the US," the England manager told BBC Sport ahead of the draw.

"I know also there's some players who are very likely to start but let's take it step by step. It's my job to get to know the players, have a picture, an opinion, and then pick them and stick with them because they did so well to earn my trust. I have a clear idea."

As England eyes its first World Cup victory since 1966, Tuchel expressed his optimism, stating: "We've got closer, we've got better. For my belief, I needed the camps in September, October, November, and the way the camps, the results and the group went together.

"Since then, our belief - mine and the group together - grew, and we will arrive to make a special thing happen. We cannot guarantee it but we will arrive with the biggest goal."

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.