Lauryn Hill carried out on the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., however the prolonged occasion left audiences stressed.

Lauryn Hill took the stage on the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. throughout Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 draw ceremony, however her efficiency got here after greater than an hour of delays that left the viewers rising impatient.

The Grammy-winning artist delivered a medley of her traditional hits, together with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” alongside her son Marley, however the timing proved problematic. Reporters on the venue famous that followers and officers alike had been desperate to get to the precise draw after intensive preliminary programming.

“You have to feel a bit for Lauryn Hill – she’s up there nearly herniating herself trying to get some response from the audience and they’re doing absolutely nothing,” journalist Alexis Petridis said. “Medley of hits…Nope. Bringing her kids onstage to honor the memory of Bob Marley? Crickets. I suspect she’s wondering why she turned up.”

The ceremony, hosted by Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum, featured a number of musical performances and prolonged video segments earlier than the principle occasion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier awarded President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, calling him a “close friend” throughout the presentation. Trump obtained the consideration for his position in facilitating the 2026 match throughout North America.

The prolonged ceremony format drew criticism from sports activities journalists and followers who anticipated a extra streamlined method to revealing the World Cup teams.

Trump’s presence on the occasion added one other layer of consideration, with the president receiving his peace prize earlier than departing the Kennedy Center. FIFA officers praised his administration’s assist for the joint internet hosting association between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Social media customers expressed combined reactions to Hill’s efficiency, with some praising her vocal talents and others criticizing the timing and size of the ceremony, making her title development with each constructive and destructive feedback in regards to the drawn-out proceedings.

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