During a live broadcast promoting Fox TV’s coverage of the World Cup, former U.S. soccer player Alexi Lalas directed a controversial insult at British television personality James Corden. The incident occurred on a pre-match show aired on Friday ahead of the tournament’s opening games.

Lalas, 56, used a derogatory term to describe Corden, asking, “What do you guys call him? Full-kit w****r, right?” The comment caused a visible reaction among the pundits, with former French footballer Thierry Henry looking surprised and inquiring, “Did he just say that?” The show’s host Rebecca Lowe quickly intervened, acknowledging the difference in broadcasting standards between American and British television by saying, “OK, lucky we’re on American television because the W word on British TV... uh-uh.”

In a separate development at the World Cup’s opening ceremony held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, pop singer Katy Perry faced criticism for her performance. Perry, 41, performed the ballad “Wonder” from 2024 in front of an audience exceeding 70,000, which included notable figures such as David and Victoria Beckham and Tom Cruise. However, reactions from spectators and viewers were largely negative, with some describing her act as a “train wreck.”

Perry’s choice of attire—a shimmering dress designed by Stella McCartney—also drew attention and mixed reviews. One spectator commented online that the outfit resembled “a lampshade covered in tinsel,” reflecting the broader critical sentiment surrounding the performance. Despite the entertainment hiccups, the United States secured a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their tournament opener at SoFi Stadium.