Best FIFA World Cup Ads

By: Eniko

Posted: October 19, 2022

Updated: October 19, 2022

Most big brands come up with special ads ahead of the World Cups
Nike, Adidas, and Pepsi have produced the best ones so far
The biggest football stars feature in them from Ronaldo to Beckham

There is a month until the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup so we are likely to meet football-related advertisements much more often. Some of these ads hopefully will be just as memorable as the members of our list of the best FIFA World Cup ads. They were done in such funny or spectacular ways that we can still remember them. And most of them feature such football icons as David Beckham, Lionel Messi, and Ronaldo. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will start on the 20th of November so everyone in the football world is getting excited now. In spite of all the issues and the unusual date of the tournament, most fans can’t wait to see the best football teams competing in Qatar. Companies, broadcasters, and the biggest brands try to make use of the event and make campaigns related to the World Cup. Using humor, popular football stars, and their amazing dribbling skills can all help to make these ads memorable. So, let’s see some of the best ones below.

1. Brazil at the Airport (Nike, 1998)

Which team could represent better football, than Brazil? At least, that’s what Nike’s marketing team must have thought when they made their ad for the 1998 World Cup. And they made the right choice as their ad featured one of the best Brazilian teams. Including Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Ronaldo. They all have fun at the airport and show their amazing skills in the video. It was shot by film director John Woo and also included a cameo from Eric Cantona. The players produced their signature moves besides some Kung-fu and Matrix moves. This ad tells everything about the magical game and belongs among the best FIFA World Cup ads for sure.

2. The Game Before the Game (Beats, 2014)

Going ahead in time to 2014, Brazil wasn’t only one of the top favorites but also the host of the World Cup. To celebrate this unique moment, headphone maker Beats produced an amazing advertisement. It is like a short film involving several US stars like Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Lil Wayne. But of course, football players are in the center, led by Neymar. Others like Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez, and Bastian Schweinsteiger also appear in the video. The soundtrack of this ad is very effective and fits perfectly with the theme (Jamie N Commons & The X Ambassadors - Jungle). Neymar couldn’t win the title on home soil after Brazil only finished in 4th place. But they are one of the top favorites in Qatar again on online sportsbooks in the UK.

3. Born to Love the World Cup (Astro, Malaysia, 2018)

The next ad on our list is the funniest of all, made by Astro, a Malaysian satellite television and IPTV provider. It’s called Born to Love the World Cup due to the simple reason that it’s featuring Queen’s I Was Born to Love You song. The ad is hilarious with everyone watching the football from the dentist to the waiter. Guests at the wedding, workers in an office, and dads during shopping. All concentrate on the games so much that they fell/hit the wall/collide/pour out drinks. If you want to lift your mood, it is the perfect video to watch. This ad was made for the 2018 World Cup but we might see new ones for Qatar, as Astro continues to offer special live coverage of the games for its subscribers.

4. Football Africa (Pepsi, 2010)

We can find a real All-Star ensemble in Pepsi’s ad which was made ahead of the 2010 South Africa World Cup. A very young Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Kaka, and Andrey Arshavin all feature in the video. They play against kids from a South African village in a typical African field. The match is watched by the villagers who also form the boundaries of the playing area. Of course, players produce amazing tricks and kicks, until Didier Drogba kicks out the ball. The ad has a cheerful, catchy soundtrack song by Akon and the Soweto Gospel Choir. It also featured in the Official 2010 FIFA World Cup album.

5. Footballitis (Adidas, 2002)

Ending with a classic, the Adidas ad called Footballitis focused on humor while also using the biggest stars of the 2002 World Cup. Like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Alessandro Del Piero. In the ad scientists study players who can’t stop playing football, even during their sleep. Dog lovers can also follow football-playing dachshunds in the ad, which are very funny and cute. Adidas was losing the competition against Nikeon most occassions, but Footballitis was one of the most popular ads ahead of the 2002 World Cup.

Superfan Santa (Fox Sports, 2022)

One of the latest and also hilarious Football World Cup ads has been made by US sports broadcaster, Fox Sports. According to the latest trends, it has a great storyline (Santa is on vacation when he is told the news about the winter World Cup), some of the biggest stars, and funny lines. Along with great action and spectacular scenes, this ad has combined everything. Even though football stars got fewer roles, fans can still see the US Men’s National team having a holiday dinner. And Cristiano Ronaldo is mentioned as well. Though online gambling sites in the UK don’t mention the US among the favorites, it is a great ad than can inspire all football fans to follow the actions in Qatar this winter.