Messi Stars in Adidas World Cup 2026 Campaign Teaser

Key facts

• Timothée Chalamet's involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup promotional campaign has been teased.
• Lionel Messi's jersey is featured at the beginning of a new Adidas advert.
• The advert includes appearances by Bad Bunny and Zinedine Zidane.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
• The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026.
• David Beckham is featured in a de-aged capacity in a World Cup trailer.

Promotional Blitz for 2026 World Cup Underway

As the United States, Mexico, and Canada gear up to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, promotional efforts for the tournament have already commenced. A new Adidas advertisement, designed to build anticipation for the global football event, has captured significant attention, notably featuring global football icon Lionel Messi. The campaign aims to engage a wide audience, blending the worlds of sport, music, and cinema. The advertisement's release signals the early stages of a massive promotional push leading up to the tournament's kick-off. The involvement of high-profile personalities underscores the event's expansive reach beyond traditional football fan bases.

Chalamet's Jersey Spotlights Adidas Campaign

In the latest Adidas advert, fans of Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet noted his jersey, marked with the number 26, hanging amongst those of footballing greats. The sequence begins with Lionel Messi's distinctive blue and white Argentina jersey, followed by those of emerging talent Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham, as well as American star Trinity Rodman, and musician Bad Bunny. The reveal of Chalamet's jersey, described as lavender, sparked considerable excitement among his followers. Online comments expressed a strong desire to purchase the merchandise, with one fan noting, "My boy is cross cultural." Another fan exclaimed, "Timmy and soccer, oh my god I need this," highlighting the cross-cultural appeal generated by the campaign.

Star-Studded Cast Hypnotizes Viewers

FIFA and Adidas have officially released the new ad campaign, which features Chalamet interacting with Bad Bunny. The narrative begins with Chalamet posing the question to Bunny, "What do I know about soccer?" This sets the stage for a street-style soccer game, where Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, and football legend Zinedine Zidane are seen hyping up the players. The advertisement also includes brief clips showcasing a diverse roster of football stars. Among those featured are Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Sir David Beckham, Alessandro Del Piero, Trinity Rodman, Florian Wirtz, Santiago Gimenez, Raphinha, and Pedri. The campaign also introduces three young, aspiring footballers named Isaak, Ruthie, and Clive.

Chalamet Confirms World Cup Role

Earlier in the year, Timothée Chalamet himself confirmed his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup promotional campaign during an interview on France Inter. While the majority of the conversation was conducted in French, Chalamet alluded to his role in this year's FIFA ad initiative. Adidas has a well-established history of creating memorable advertising campaigns for the FIFA World Cup. The jersey reveal tease from this year's campaign has already generated significant buzz and set expectations high. This collaboration leverages Chalamet's global appeal to broaden the tournament's reach.

Tournament Schedule and Notable Appearances

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to commence on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The opening match is slated to feature host nation Mexico against South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Beyond the star-studded advertisement, reports indicate that David Beckham also features in a World Cup trailer, depicted in a de-aged appearance. This suggests a broader marketing strategy employing various creative elements to promote the upcoming event. The tournament's expansion to three host nations marks a significant logistical undertaking, promising a truly continental celebration of football.

The bottom line

• Lionel Messi is a central figure in Adidas's new promotional campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• The campaign features a diverse cast including actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Bad Bunny, and football legend Zinedine Zidane.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, kicking off on June 11, 2026.
• Adidas is utilizing high-profile celebrities and athletes to generate excitement for the tournament.
• Timothée Chalamet confirmed his involvement in the World Cup promotional efforts earlier this year.
• David Beckham also appears in a World Cup trailer, presented in a de-aged state.