PRPG:

The Weird World of World Cup Commercials

June 13, 2014

World Cup CommercialsThe FIFA World Cup is the planet’s most beloved sporting event. The 2014 edition is taking place in Brazil as we speak, and tons of international companies are eager to cash in on all the excitement. Here are just a few of the kooky World Cup commercials that have been airing around the globe in recent weeks.

Albert Heijn (The Netherlands)

Albert Heijn is a large chain of supermarkets based in Holland. In this silly World Cup ad, the company’s sports-critters (a bumbling gang of CGI hamsters) hitch a ride to Rio so they can cheer on their country’s team.

Nike (Europe)

Nike is based in the United States but its products are enjoyed all over the place. The company put together this crazy four-minute ad for its European market. It features several teenagers imagining that they’re various soccer stars, and, for some reason, Marvel superheroes like the Incredible Hulk, too.

Kia (U.S.)

Eager to teach Americans about the joys of what the rest of the world considers “football,” the car company teamed up with Adriana Lima for these ads. In each one, the Brazilian supermodel confronts various sports fans in the US and encourages them to tune into the World Cup.

Cup Noodles (Japan)

The noodle-makers hired an acrobatic samurai warrior to appear in this commercial. He tours the globe and shows off his soccer and dancing skills before battling a group of breakdancers.