Cole Palmer is the only England player featured in Nike’s star-studded World Cup film “rip the script” — even after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. The six-minute advert, released Thursday, brings together football and pop culture heavyweight
Cole Palmer has been left out of England’s World Cup squad by Thomas Tuchel — and yet Nike has made sure his face is still in the spotlight.
Palmer is the only England player to appear in Nike’s new star-studded World Cup advert. a short film called “rip the script” released on Thursday. The six-minute production leans into the same playful theme throughout: refusing to follow the script set by the producer and instead creating its own version of events across wild locations.
The cast reads like a global wish list. It includes Cristiano Ronaldo. LeBron James. Kim Kardashian and Travis Scott. alongside football names such as Bruno Fernandes. Virgil van Dijk. Vinicius Jr. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Haaland pops up in a hilarious moment alongside actor Channing Tatum. while the film also features cameos from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Eric Cantona and Jason Sudeikis. who reprises his role as Ted Lasso.
The irony for Nike is hard to miss. Palmer was chosen as the face to represent England in the advert, despite being overlooked when Tuchel selected his squad for the tournament. The 24-year-old also joins Harry Maguire and Phil Foden among the big names left at home.
In the advert, Palmer appears in an icy landscape — a direct nod to his “cold” celebration — before he leads the players involved back to the original TV set. He is shown alongside rapper Central Cee, with the film’s framing turning Palmer’s celebration into one of the key England-linked moments.
Palmer’s absence from the squad has not stopped people from watching him closely off the pitch, either. He was spotted this week partying in Ibiza at one of the island’s most decadent venues. Ocean Beach Club. at a location tied to Wayne Lineker’s family. Photos showed him wearing the same outfit he wore the last time he was at the club last July: a chain. a plain white T-shirt. camouflage shorts and trainers. In the images. he sits on a bright yellow sofa next to Gary Lineker’s younger brother. with Grey Goose vodka cushions splayed out beside them and a large bottle of Grey Goose vodka perched on the table.
The World Cup itself is now only days away. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins next Thursday. Mexico open the 48-team competition against South Africa in the opening match, and it runs until July 19.
For Palmer, the week has carried a jolt of contrast: left out by Tuchel in England’s squad selection, yet still chosen by Nike as the England representative in one of football’s biggest marketing statements of the year.
Cole Palmer Nike rip the script World Cup advert England squad Thomas Tuchel Harry Maguire Phil Foden Kylian Mbappe Erling Haaland Cristiano Ronaldo LeBron James Kim Kardashian Travis Scott Bruno Fernandes Virgil van Dijk Vinicius Jr