Fitness influencer Jacob Abrams Cohen turns Morocco vs Haiti World Cup match into a 5K challenge, sparking fan debate

Fitness influencer Jacob Abrams Cohen found an unusual way to spend a FIFA World Cup match. During Morocco’s group-stage game against Haiti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, he completed a full 5K without leaving his seating section.

Instead of running around a track, Cohen jogged in small circles in his row and stepped over seats until he reached the distance before the final whistle. The stunt drew very different reactions, with some calling it creative and others saying it disturbed fans who had paid to enjoy the match.

Jacob Abrams Cohen explains why he ran a 5K during Morocco vs Haiti FIFA World Cup match

Before the match started, Cohen shared a video introducing his challenge. Standing inside the stadium in a white-and-gold patterned shirt and a backward cap, he told viewers, “Today I’m running a 5K in my seat at the World Cup.”

He later posted more clips showing how he kept moving throughout the game instead of sitting down.The challenge was not as simple as running in one place. Videos showed Cohen jogging in tight circles, turning around repeatedly and stepping across seats to keep his distance going. Since the row was full of spectators, people sitting nearby had to move their legs, shift in their seats or step aside whenever he came through.

He eventually shared a selfie after finishing the challenge and celebrated completing the 5K before the match ended. Morocco went on to beat Haiti 4-2 in the Group C game.

Fans criticize Jacob Abrams Cohen’s World Cup stunt as FIFA reacts

The videos quickly spread across social media, but not everyone enjoyed the idea. Many fans felt the challenge crossed a line because it affected people around him. Several users pointed out that World Cup tickets are expensive and said spectators should not have to keep moving during the match because of someone filming content.Others defended Cohen, saying he was simply creating lighthearted videos and trying something different. FIFA’s official social media account also reacted with a positive comment, praising his “impressive pace.” After seeing the criticism, Cohen responded in another video. He said he understood that not everyone would enjoy his content and explained that his videos are meant to entertain, not please every viewer. He also suggested that the clips only show a small part of what happened inside the stadium. Even after his explanation, opinions remained divided. Some people appreciated the creativity behind the challenge, while others believed a live sporting event was not the right place for it. The debate has continued online, with many focusing less on the run itself and more on how it affected the fans sitting nearby.