Wayne Gretzky Faces Backlash for Mispronunciations During World Cup Draw

Wayne Gretzky, a legendary figure in ice hockey, faced significant criticism during the recent World Cup draw ceremony. The event revealed the groups for the upcoming 2026 FIFA tournament, but it was marred by Gretzky’s mispronunciations of several country names.

Mispronunciations and Backlash

Gretzky’s attempts to pronounce the names of countries created cringeworthy moments for viewers. Among the most notable errors were:

• North Macedonia pronounced as “Mack-a-donia.”
• Curacao mispronounced as “Cur-ack-oh.”
• Jordan emphasized incorrectly on the last syllable, sounding like “Jay-DAN.”
• Türkiye mistakenly referred to as “Turkeya.”

Fans took to social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), to express their amusement. Many users shared their reactions, highlighting Gretzky’s struggles during the ceremony.

Social Media Reactions

The social media response showcased a mix of humor and disbelief at the hockey star’s errors. Tweets ranged from light-hearted jokes to playful roasts, reflecting the public’s fun engagement with the event.

Overall, while Gretzky is celebrated for his sports achievements, his performance during the World Cup draw underscored that even icons can falter in new challenges. His missteps become talking points, reminding everyone that perfection is a rare feat.