Nike Launches “Rip the Script” Ad Ahead of World Cup Summer

Nike is kicking off its biggest football campaign of the year with “Rip the Script,” a global initiative encouraging players to embrace creativity, instinct, and attacking football. Designed as more than just a commercial, the campaign serves as the entry point into a larger Nike Football universe that will unfold throughout the summer tournament season.

At its core, “Rip the Script” challenges conventional thinking by celebrating the moments that happen when players trust their instincts rather than following a predetermined playbook. Nike describes the campaign as a rallying cry for footballers to play freely, creatively, and without hesitation.

The centerpiece is a star-studded film featuring some of football’s biggest names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior. Football legends such as Eric Cantona, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Didier Drogba, and Jorge Campos also appear alongside cultural figures including LeBron James, Travis Scott, Kim Kardashian, Ted Lasso, Channing Tatum, Young Miko, and LISA.

Beyond the film, Nike is using the campaign to spotlight its latest football innovations. The brand's 2026 federation kits combine Aero-FIT cooling technology with storytelling inspired by each nation’s culture and heritage. Nike will also showcase its newest generation of football boots, including the Mercurial Vapor 17, Mercurial Superfly 11, Phantom 6, and Tiempo Maestro.

The campaign extends into grassroots football through programs like Toma el Juego, Nike’s global street football initiative that has hosted more than 100 tournaments across six continents. Nike is also continuing its partnership with LEGO, reinforcing the idea that creativity and play remain at the heart of football culture.

Lifestyle products will play a major role as well. Collections such as the Nike Cryoshot, Mad 90 Pack, Hollywood Keepers, X2 national team collections, and region-specific capsules like Tercer Tiempo F.C. and Amor & Furia connect football's heritage with modern fashion and streetwear.

To bring the campaign to life globally, Nike plans to transform more than 5,000 retail locations throughout the tournament period. Activations include New York's House of Merc, Los Angeles' Estadio Niky's, and The Roof at Vanta in Dallas, each designed to immerse fans in football culture through product, customization, and community experiences.

As the football world turns its attention to the 2026 summer tournament, “Rip the Script” positions Nike Football around a simple message: the game's best moments happen when players trust their instincts.