Aaron Judge sends 3-word message to Shaquille O’Neal at star-studded FIFA World Cup event ft. Tom Brady & Wayne Gretzky

The excitement of the football fever has swept across the United States, with New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge taking center stage alongside legends from other American sports. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. was the venue for the draw selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it was a star-studded affair.

In a recent Instagram post, Judge shared a memorable moment from the event. The Yankees captain was pictured alongside NFL legend Tom Brady and NHL icon Wayne Gretzky. However, one notable absence from the NBA was four-time champion Shaquille O’Neal, who was present at the event but missed out on being in the picture. Judge playfully called out Shaq in his story, asking, “@shaq where you at?”

Aaron Judge, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal all served as draw assistants for former England captain Rio Ferdinand, who unveiled the draw for the first-ever 48-team World Cup. Meanwhile, U.S. football legend Eli Manning took on the role of hosting the red-carpet duties for the evening.

While Judge is renowned for his prowess on the baseball field, his love for soccer is equally evident. He enjoys playing FIFA on PlayStation and follows the sport closely. Being part of the draw selection process for the 2026 World Cup was a special moment for him, as he got to share the stage with sporting greats from various disciplines.

During the draw, Judge had the opportunity to select teams for the third round, alongside Brady, O’Neal, and Gretzky. The prospect of witnessing the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19, has Judge excited. He expressed his anticipation, stating, “With the final set for New York/New Jersey — right where I play — I can’t wait to see which teams will be battling for the title in our own backyard.”

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, Aaron Judge’s involvement in the draw selection process has further fueled his passion for the sport. With the final set to take place in his neighborhood, the Yankees star is eagerly looking forward to witnessing the world’s best teams compete for the prestigious title. The football fever has well and truly taken hold of Aaron Judge, and fans can expect to see his excitement continue to grow as the tournament approaches.

The article has been edited by Krutik Jain.