With the countdown to kick-off now down to just one day, excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is reaching fever pitch.
The BBC has been promoting its coverage via a 50-second film showcasing iconic stars from previous events and this year’s tournament. The film features the likes of Maradona, Pele, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
Produced by Blinkink in partnership with BBC Creative and directed by Nicos Livesey, it aim is to capture the build-up to the tournament through the physical language of fandom, to elevate everyday artefacts, such as scarves or flags, into cinematic storytelling devices.
It draws on the expertise of knitting experts, enamel badge makers and stop-motion animators and illustrator Dan Evans, with each sequence combining traditional fabrication techniques alongside animation and illustration.
“It’s one of the most technical shoots we’ve ever taken on,” said Livesey. “With complex transitions, every object behaves differently and that’s the magic! The imperfections, the fingerprints, the texture are what make it feel alive.”
