American streamer Darren Watkins Jr., known to millions as IShowSpeed, created another viral moment during his 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage. While live streaming from the tournament, Speed interacted with a Chinese fan wearing a Portugal jersey. The fan struggled to speak English, so Speed smoothly switched to Mandarin, catching everyone by surprise and making the fan feel comfortable.
This moment stands out because of what happened during the 2022 World Cup. Back then, Speed approached a Chinese fan in Qatar and shouted “Konnichiwa” at him. The fan told him he was Chinese, not Japanese, but Speed kept making sounds that seemed to mock the language. The backlash was huge. People called him racist and demanded he do better. He lost followers and had to post an apology video on X.
Now, in 2026, Speed showed he learned from that mistake. Instead of assuming or mocking, he switched to a language the fan could understand. The switch was unexpected even for the Chinese fan, who quickly became more enthusiastic and relaxed during the stream.
IShowSpeed Spoke Mandarin to Make a Chinese Portugal Fan Feel Welcome
During his live stream, IShowSpeed spotted a Chinese Portugal fan and invited him to speak on camera. He told the fan:
“You got to get everybody that’s in the stream watching right now, bro. Portugal needs to win this game today. Give them some motivation, bro. Turn them up, bro.”
The Chinese fan matched Speed’s energy but had trouble expressing himself in English. That’s when Speed surprised everyone by switching to Mandarin, encouraging the fan to speak in his own language. The fan’s reaction was immediate. He relaxed and became much more engaged with the stream. People on Reddit and other social media platforms called the moment impressive. Some said Speed’s pronunciation and grammar were not perfect, but the effort and gesture won them over.
The 2022 World Cup Incident That Made Headlines
The contrast between 2022 and 2026 could not be clearer. Three years ago, Speed was in Qatar for the World Cup. He approached a Chinese fan wearing an Argentina jersey and started shouting “Konnichiwa” at him. The fan tried to explain he was not Japanese but Chinese. Speed responded by making sounds that sounded like mockery of Chinese languages.
The clip spread quickly. Fans flooded his social media with criticism. One comment said:
“Stop spewing macro-aggressions and racism towards Asian people and use your platform for something positive.”
Another wrote:
“You failed Asian Americans and Asians everywhere. We all make mistakes. But grow up. Do better. Be a better example for the youth.”
The next day, Speed posted an apology video on X. He said:
“If I offended any Asian person out there, trust me, man, I’m not racist. I love Asians. I love all, man. Soโฆ I apologize if they came out that way. Love you guys. Peace out. Hope you accept my apology.”
From Controversy to Cultural Bridge
IShowSpeed has become one of the most popular internet personalities in the world. He is known for his energetic and chaotic style, especially during football streams. His love for Cristiano Ronaldo and his famous “Siuuu” celebration made him a global figure.
In March 2025, Speed visited China for the first time. He went to Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Changsha, and Shenzhen. The trip was a massive success. He tried local food, played football with fans, did a backflip on the Great Wall, and met fans everywhere he went. His livestream from Changsha attracted 47.21 million viewers and gained over 700,000 new followers in just one day.
Cristiano Ronaldo himself commented on Speed’s China tour, calling it an “amazing trip” on Chinese social media platform Kuaishou. His China visit pushed his YouTube subscriber count to 37 million. It also showed a different side of China to his global audience. Chinese media like the Global Times praised him for “bridging cultural gaps.”
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What This Means for Speed’s Image
The Mandarin moment at the 2026 World Cup is a clear turning point. Speed has gone from being accused of racism to being praised for cultural awareness. He has done this in just three years. His China tour in 2025 showed he could connect with Chinese fans in a real way. His Mandarin moment at the World Cup shows he can do the same in a high-pressure live stream with millions watching.
IShowSpeed’s 2026 World Cup coverage is part of his larger partnership with FIFA. He released the single “Champions,” which was featured on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album. He also announced an official “World Cup 26 Tour” with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. His live streams from the tournament are available for free on his YouTube channel, giving millions of fans a different way to experience the World Cup.
This latest moment shows that Speed listens to his critics and works to improve. The switch to Mandarin was not just about making a fan comfortable. It showed that he learned from his past mistakes. For many viewers, that matters more than any apology video ever could.
For more updates on IShowSpeed, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and viral moments from the tournament, keep visiting VvipTimes.
