The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw was held in a ceremony that drew global attention, but one moment stood out for its awkwardness. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, a key presenter for the event, was forced into an uncomfortable exchange with ex-Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré.
During a break between pot selections, Hollywood actor Danny Ramirez, who was mingling with the audience, approached Touré and asked if he and Ferdinand were friends, given their history as rivals. Touré replied, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' but Ferdinand appeared irritated, saying, 'Haha, what you trying to do here Danny? I know you're trying to get in the middle here, what are you doing?'
Ramirez then said, 'I'm trying to start it up,' prompting Ferdinand to respond, 'But, I haven't really forgiven Yaya for that 2012 title race where they took it off us but it's fine... I'm over it man, come on, let me live man.' The exchange highlighted the lingering tension from the 2011/2012 Premier League season, when Manchester City snatched the title from United on the final day with Sergio Agüero's stoppage-time goal.
Ferdinand and Touré faced each other 12 times in their careers, with Touré's teams winning seven, drawing two, and losing three. The draw ceremony also featured a selfie taken by FIFA president Gianni Infantino with US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
