James Corden plays insane soccer-themed game ‘nuts or butts’ on World Cup show

Ryan ColemanTue, July 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC

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James Corden on Fox Sports; Lionel Messi during a 2026 World Cup game against AlgeriaCredit: fox sports; Michael Steele/GettyKey Points -

James Corden introduced an insane new game on Monday’s episode of his Fox Sports World Cup show.

During “Nuts or Butts,” Corden asked members of his audience to guess from a gameplay still whether a ball about to be kicked would strike the front or rear end of a rival player.

Corden hosts FIFA World Cup on Fox After Hours daily through July 17.

James Corden is asking viewers to look at the World Cup from a unique new perspective.

On Monday’s episode of his Fox Sports show FIFA World Cup on Fox After Hours, Corden introduced a new game, dubbed by the channel as “soccer’s most beautiful game.”

During “Nuts or Butts,” Corden selected members of his audience to look hard at shots taken during World Cup matches moments before a player is about to let it rip on the ball.

“It will then be up to you, the audience, to decide if the soccer ball is gonna hit the player in the nuts or their butts,” he explained.

“It’s our responsibility to show you all why this great game of soccer is nicknamed the ‘Beautiful Game,’ and doing this show every night for you is an extraordinary privilege for all of us. And that privilege is why we are playing the next game,” Corden joked when introducing the game on Monday, which saw Spain beat Portugal 1-0 and Belgium beat the United States 4-1.

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Corden’s sidekick, comedian Ian Karmel, assisted each audience member handed the grave responsibility of deciding whether a given kick resulted in a “nuts” hit or a “butts” hit. During one round, when Corden and his contestant were assessing a shot of English team captain Harry Kane about to deliver a fierce kick toward a crowd of players, Karmel noted, “This is our first corner kick, which means we’ve never had more butts and more nuts in play in the entire game. This is what’s known in military circles as a ‘target-rich environment.’”

Amazingly, each contestant during the inaugural edition of “Nuts or Butts” correctly guessed the outcome of each kick. There were no prizes to bestow, other than the satisfaction that everyone did such a good job.

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Corden’s has already generated several viral moments peripheral to the World Cup since premiering After Hours on June 11.

English midfielder Jordan Henderson celebrates England’s victory against Mexico during the 2026 World CupCredit: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty

Noted soccer enthusiast Colin Farrell accidentally dropped the F-bomb on June 30’s episode of After Hours, when he asked, “Who the f--- is that in the corner?” Farrell’s altogether not surprising vulgarity prompted Corden to sarcastically reply, “Let me tell you two things: Number one, that’s the waxwork Pelé from Madame Tussauds, and number two, this is live.”

Then, on a June 12 World Cup broadcast on Fox, former New England Revolution center-back Alexi Lalas stunned his cohosts after referring to Corden as “A full kit wanker” — as they attempted to promote Corden’s show. Left largely speechless, French footballer Thierry Henry could only ask, “Did he just say that?”

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