Rio Ferdinand‘s role at the 2026 World Cup draw has been widely panned on social media after his acting skills failed to make their mark.

In a protracted build-up to the draw, which took almost one hour and 30 minutes to begin, Ferdinand engaged in some build-up videos – rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars Matthew McConaughey and Salma Hayek.

The Manchester United legend also took part in explainer videos for how the World Cup works with some young children.

However, Ferdinand’s skillset in front of the camera didn’t impress a large number of people on social media – who condemned his acting performances.

‘Rio Ferdinand’s acting is absolutely terrible,’ wrote one user on X, while another posted: ‘Rio Ferdinand acting is so cringe’ – that was accompanied with a GIF of an unimpressed face.

‘Rio Ferdinand’s acting is SO BAD,’ came another post on X, while another wrote: ‘NOBODY needs to see Rio Ferdinand “acting”. Get a move on…’

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Rio Ferdinand’s acting during the World Cup draw has been roundly criticised on social media

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He was in some videos during the protracted build-up to the draw which didn’t go down well

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Hollywood stars Matthew McConaughey and Salma Hayek were in the video with Ferdinand

‘I’m glad I’ve only just switched the World Cup draw on if this is the standard of the previous hour and a bit!,’ came another post. ‘Rio Ferdinand been getting acting lessons from David Beckham. It’s more embarrassing than Diana Ross & her missed penalty at USA 94.’

‘How has Rio got this gig,’ asked another. ‘It’s predominantly an acting role.’

‘Rio Ferdinand’s agent deserves a medal. No idea how he’s landed it,’ was another scathing post.

Ferdinand’s attempted joke during the opening stage of the draw was almost met with silence.

However, after the ceremony he was over took to X to write: ‘Draw Conducting duties finished – Kennedy Center completed! Over + Out,’ with the post accompanied by a loveheart emoji.

The backlash to the 47-year-old’s acting skills comes just a day after he had been hammered by fans for declaring himself a ‘man of the people’, despite moving to Dubai where he doesn’t pay UK tax.

The former England defender relocated to the Persian Gulf in August with his wife Kate and children.

Speaking in his capacity as FIFA’s World Cup draw conductor ahead of Friday’s event in Washington DC, Ferdinand was asked about tickets pricing fans out.

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Dan Roan of the BBC asked: ‘Do you think the cost of tickets needs to be borne in mind to fans? There’s been a lot around dynamic pricing that might be pricing out certain fans. Is it important that this event does have football fans for the atmosphere and they’re not priced out?

Ferdinand replied: ‘I am a man of the people in terms of I’m from a place where we were always hoping for things to be accessible.

‘I know that the people behind the scenes at FIFA are aiming and working to something like that now, whether they get there for that remains to be seen.

He also said: ‘I think we have to be conscious of that and I think FIFA are definitely people who are conscious of that, the powers that be there.

‘I think we can look at every industry, every sector, we have that conversation about things and I think it’s more about making sure that there’s a product that’s super elite that matches what’s on the pitch and then everyone can feel that it’s justified taking time out and working hard to go and get tickets.’

The response of Ferdinand to call himself a ‘man of the people’ angered many football fans online.

In reacting to his comments, one wrote: ‘Man of the people whilst sunning it up in Dubai dodging taxes.

Another added: ‘Man of the people; living the kings life in tax free Dubai and tmrw taking the FIFA shilling working as part of the draw team. Nice one Rio.’

‘I’m a man of the people but I have moved to Dubai to avoid paying tax that may go to… checks notes… the people,’ added another.

There were dozens of football supporters pointing out Ferdinand’s clear hypocrisy, with another writing: ‘I’m am a man of the people. So I moved to Dubai to avoid paying UK tax and stopped contributing to schools, hospitals and pensions for the elderly.’

FIFA’s controversial ticketing plan for next summer’s tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada has been controversial.

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Ferdinand has been called out by fans for declaring himself a ‘man of the people’

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Ferdinand and his wife Kate (left) relocated to Dubai earlier this year with the family

Prices will initially range from $60 (£44.69) in the group stages to a staggering $6,730 (£5,013) in the final – but could change due to the variable costing.

It is the same system which caused such a furore for Oasis’ tour earlier this year, which saw £135 standing tickets re-hashed as ‘in demand’ and bumped up to £355 on Ticketmaster, plus fees.

‘We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory,’ a FIFA official said.

‘While we have committed to the starting point we will apply variable pricing from day one of the process. We do not intend at all to change prices every five minutes.’