Adidas spins lore and 90s nostalgia in 2026 World Cup campaign — VOTE NOW

Rick Suter, USA TODAYThu, July 2, 2026 at 2:54 AM UTC

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The whispers around the neighborhood transform into nostalgic roars for Adidas' 2026 World Cup campaign, a five-minute journey that squeezes in 30 years of soccer lore and plenty of time-capsule memories.

"Backyard Legends" takes the game to the streets, where three local superstars have not lost since 1996—or…was it, maybe, '95?—even holding off a challenge from Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Alessandro Del Piero.

Can anyone finally top Clive, Ruthie and Isaak?

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Timothée Chalamet is up for the challenge, with Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Trinity Rodman along for the ride.

After a brief silence in the name of competitive awkwardness, the "Marty Supreme" actor and his dream team hit the gas on a carpool that's equal parts time travel and pep talk, with a dash of pop culture vibes that saturate the storytelling with each cut.

Woo Hah!! indeed.

The cameos continue to add a legendary aura, too, heightened by appearances from Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz, and Santiago Gimenez.

Lionel Messi and Bad Bunny round out the star-studded cast, causal onlookers awating the real stars of the show.

Then: game time.

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The Adidas creative, which is part of the brand's "You Got This" platform, is one of the larger reveals on the World Cup advertising stage, which has drawn attention for actually having breaks for these mesmerizing mini-movies. As the iconic three stripes company notes, "the film blends cutting-edge CGI and visual effects to bring to life a simple truth: the backyard is where pressure disappears and legends begin. Because whether it’s a cage pitch, a parking lot, a patch of grass or the World Cup stage, the game belongs to those who play free."

“Everyone remembers that feeling: playing for the joy of it, no pressure, no expectations. With 'Backyard Legends,' we celebrate that freedom. It’s a reminder that self-belief and playfulness are the real winning mindset," added Florian Alt, Vice President Global Brand Communications at Adidas.

"As our athletes and federations take to the biggest sporting stage this summer, we know that pressure is part of sport; we hear that directly from them. While we encourage competitiveness, our ambition is to inspire everyone, to disarm that pressure through playing free and believing, ‘You Got This’. This is important for professional and grassroots players alike; in every sport, in every part of the world. The game isn’t defined by the stage, the crowd, or the cameras. It’s defined by those who play free, where everyone can create a legend.”

Created by Lola USA, the campaign also sets the tone for the new agency, which absorbed 180 and adam&eveDDB New York, and arrives in the U.S. for the first time.

USA TODAY Ad Meter Brand Spotlight: What do you think of the Adidas campaign?

About USA TODAY Ad Meter Brand Spotlight

USA TODAY created the Ad Meter brand spotlight concept in 2024, the first editorial rollout focusing on the global campaigns for the Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The purpose was to add a new and exciting element to the franchise, which began in 1989, and bring more sports business and entertainment insights to the marketing rush during major sporting events.

Unlike the Super Bowl Ad Meter, which focuses on specific commercials, the World Cup spotlight will take a broader, overall view of how brands are impacting the global audience during the five-week run.

This article originally appeared on Ad Meter: Timothée Chalamet headlines legendary cast for Adidas World Cup spot

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