BBC World Cup commentator Guy Mowbray drew widespread online derision for mistakenly identifying musician Pharrell Williams as rapper A$AP Rocky during the final match on Sunday night. The incident occurred as cameras panned to celebrities in the stands at the New Jersey stadium.
Mowbray, while commenting on a close-up of Williams, stated, "I think that's AKA Rocky, or A$AP Rocky, sorry." This comment, along with the "AKA Rocky" phrasing, quickly became a target for social media users.
"Never heard someone be so wrong yet say it with so much confidence," one viewer commented on X, formerly Twitter. Another user posted, "Sometimes, it’s best to say nothing at all." Other reactions included jokes about the commentator's certainty and the visual confusion, with one user noting, "Not sure what's funnier. Guy Mowbray calling ASAP Rocky 'AKA', or the fact that he was actually looking at Pharrell Williams."
Some viewers suggested a possible explanation for the mix-up: A$AP Rocky and his partner, Rihanna, were reportedly seated directly in front of Williams. Commentators may have been provided with lists of attendees and their seating arrangements, potentially contributing to the error.
Pharrell Williams is a Grammy-winning artist and producer known for hits like "Happy" and "Get Lucky." A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, is a hip-hop artist.
This was not the only instance of mistaken identity during the broadcast. Fox commentators also reportedly misidentified actor Matt Damon as Brad Pitt while surveying the VIP suite. "Brad Pitt also among the fans here," the commentator announced before correcting himself, "Oh it's Matt Damon! That's Matt Damon. There's been a lot of glare on our monitors, too. Apologize to both."
Spain ultimately won the 2026 World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time with a goal from Ferran Torres. The match was attended by numerous celebrities, including Beyonce, Kylie Jenner, Tom Cruise, Dua Lipa, and the Beckhams.