Timothée Chalamet, an AI version of Beckham and other stars appear in adidas mini-film
An impressive cast
adidas has unveiled Backyard Legends, a mini-film dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The five-minute production feels more like a short film than a traditional advertising campaign.
The video draws heavily on the atmosphere of 1990s street football culture – complete with urban aesthetics, analogue details, iconic hairstyles and a nostalgic soundtrack. At the heart of the project is a simple message: legends are not born in packed stadiums, but on neighbourhood pitches and in local backyards.
In the story, Timothée Chalamet assembles a team to take on the undefeated heroes of street football in a 3-on-3 match. Joining him on the pitch are Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and US women’s national team player Trinity Rodman. According to the film’s mythology, the local team has not lost to anyone for generations – not even to Zinédine Zidane, David Beckham or Alessandro Del Piero, whose rejuvenated AI versions also appear in the video.
The mini-film also features an all-star lineup from the worlds of sport and entertainment, including Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz, Santiago Giménez and rapper Bad Bunny.
One of the key scenes centres on a conversation between Chalamet and Bad Bunny, in which the actor playfully references the difference between «football» and «soccer» – the term commonly used for the sport in the United States. The moment highlights adidas’ ambition to bring the game closer to American audiences ahead of the home World Cup.
Chalamet admitted that taking part in the project was the fulfilment of a childhood dream. According to the actor, he grew up playing football while being inspired by Beckham’s free kicks, Del Piero’s goals and Zidane’s trademark volleys.
The campaign continues фdidas’ core message – to play freely and enjoy the game. The project’s slogan reads: «Whether it’s a cage court, a parking lot, a patch of grass or a World Cup stadium – the game belongs to those who play free».
