Adidas Launches New Campaign for FIFA World Cup 2026: Global Film Unites World Icons Blending Football and Culture
Adidas has launched a global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, themed around the "joy of playing freely." The campaign features a global film titled "Backyard Legends," starring world-renowned icons like Timothée Chalamet and Lionel Messi, aiming to convey the pure enjoyment of football.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 18:20 (48 min after Collected)
URL: https://www.adidas.jp/yougotthis
Adidas Japan K.K. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kohei Hagio) will launch a global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held this summer, starting on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The campaign is themed around the "joy of playing football freely."
Adidas has continuously developed campaigns under the message "YOU GOT THIS," depicting the infinite possibilities that unfold when athletes are freed from pressure and purely engage with sports.
This campaign, with the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the world's largest sporting events, just around the corner, shines a spotlight on the "joy of playing freely," which can be considered the origin of football. It celebrates the inherent charm of football—that anyone can enjoy it freely, regardless of location or skill, as long as they have the desire to play—and the joy that springs from it, delivering this message to athletes of all levels.
To kick off this campaign, Adidas is releasing the global film "Backyard Legends." This film brings together icons from the worlds of sports, music, and film, transcending genres and borders. It features actor Timothée Chalamet, a new addition to the Adidas family, globally popular musician Bad Bunny, and Lionel Messi, who won the MVP award at the previous FIFA World Cup 2022. The film portrays the "original landscape of familiar legends" who taught us the pure joy of sports.
Adidas will serve as the official match ball supplier and official kit supplier for 14 participating countries, including Japan, at the FIFA World Cup 2026. In Japan, various events and initiatives will be rolled out under this campaign to coincide with the opening in June, conveying the freedom and joy of football and the importance of believing in oneself.
About the Global Film "Backyard Legends"
This film stars Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet and brings together world-class players such as musician Bad Bunny and footballers Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Trinity Rodman. They challenge Clive, Lucy, and Isaac, the strongest street crew embodying the free spirit of football. It is said that these three boast an undefeated record spanning decades, having even bested 90s star players like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Alessandro Del Piero. Furthermore, top players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz, and Santiago Giménez make special appearances, adding vivid color to the story spun by the invincible trio.
The film was created by blending nostalgic soundtracks, 90s street style, and iconic hairstyles with cutting-edge CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and VFX (Visual Effects). At its core is a profoundly simple and universal truth about football: the game has always belonged to those who play freely, and legends are born on any pitch—be it a parking lot, a patch of grass, or the World Cup stage. It powerfully depicts that the attitude of playing freely is the essence of football.
■ Brand Campaign Overview
Period: Starts Thursday, May 7, 2026
Campaign Film: https://youtu.be/mJJY53qhJe0
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Bad Bunny, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Trinity Rodman, Florian Wirtz, Santiago Giménez
Special Website: https://www.adidas.jp/yougotthis
Cast Comments
■ Timothée Chalamet
"As a child, I dreamed of playing with these players. Kicking a ball at Pier 40, I imagined Beckham's free kicks, Del Piero's goals, and Zidane's volleys, trying to imitate them in my own way. I'm a huge football fan, and I still can't believe I got to be involved in this Adidas project with some of the greatest players of all time. I truly can't wait for the World Cup this summer."
■
Adidas Japan K.K. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kohei Hagio) will launch a global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held this summer, starting on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The campaign is themed around the "joy of playing football freely."
Adidas has continuously developed campaigns under the message "YOU GOT THIS," depicting the infinite possibilities that unfold when athletes are freed from pressure and purely engage with sports.
This campaign, with the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the world's largest sporting events, just around the corner, shines a spotlight on the "joy of playing freely," which can be considered the origin of football. It celebrates the inherent charm of football—that anyone can enjoy it freely, regardless of location or skill, as long as they have the desire to play—and the joy that springs from it, delivering this message to athletes of all levels.
To kick off this campaign, Adidas is releasing the global film "Backyard Legends." This film brings together icons from the worlds of sports, music, and film, transcending genres and borders. It features actor Timothée Chalamet, a new addition to the Adidas family, globally popular musician Bad Bunny, and Lionel Messi, who won the MVP award at the previous FIFA World Cup 2022. The film portrays the "original landscape of familiar legends" who taught us the pure joy of sports.
Adidas will serve as the official match ball supplier and official kit supplier for 14 participating countries, including Japan, at the FIFA World Cup 2026. In Japan, various events and initiatives will be rolled out under this campaign to coincide with the opening in June, conveying the freedom and joy of football and the importance of believing in oneself.
About the Global Film "Backyard Legends"
This film stars Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet and brings together world-class players such as musician Bad Bunny and footballers Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Trinity Rodman. They challenge Clive, Lucy, and Isaac, the strongest street crew embodying the free spirit of football. It is said that these three boast an undefeated record spanning decades, having even bested 90s star players like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Alessandro Del Piero. Furthermore, top players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz, and Santiago Giménez make special appearances, adding vivid color to the story spun by the invincible trio.
The film was created by blending nostalgic soundtracks, 90s street style, and iconic hairstyles with cutting-edge CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and VFX (Visual Effects). At its core is a profoundly simple and universal truth about football: the game has always belonged to those who play freely, and legends are born on any pitch—be it a parking lot, a patch of grass, or the World Cup stage. It powerfully depicts that the attitude of playing freely is the essence of football.
■ Brand Campaign Overview
Period: Starts Thursday, May 7, 2026
Campaign Film: https://youtu.be/mJJY53qhJe0
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Bad Bunny, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Trinity Rodman, Florian Wirtz, Santiago Giménez
Special Website: https://www.adidas.jp/yougotthis
Cast Comments
■ Timothée Chalamet
"As a child, I dreamed of playing with these players. Kicking a ball at Pier 40, I imagined Beckham's free kicks, Del Piero's goals, and Zidane's volleys, trying to imitate them in my own way. I'm a huge football fan, and I still can't believe I got to be involved in this Adidas project with some of the greatest players of all time. I truly can't wait for the World Cup this summer."
■