I'm a soccer fanatic. When my parents would go on summer vacation during a World Cup year, I'd stay home with my brother, both of us glued to the TV. I stayed up all night for a month watching each game during the 2010 tournament in South Africa due to the time zone difference where I was living in China. And in 2014, I even moved to Brazil for six months to be there in person for the action.
For most diehard sports fans, half-time offers a break – a chance to stretch your legs, grab a snack and get ready for the finale. Advertisers have been making that difficult in recent years with a lineup of clever, funny and purely entertaining commercials that, in my opinion, are even more watch-worthy than those of the Super Bowl.
As I watch this year's World Cup in Russia, I'll be sharing my favorite World Cup commercials each day, so whether or not you're a soccer fan, you won't miss out on this good stuff.
Longest Goal Celebration Ever - Geico
If you've watched even a little soccer, you're familiar with the players' acting skills (or lack thereof) and flare for the dramatic, especially just after scoring a goal. Geico certainly gets it with this giggle-inducing ad that's made an appearance during the Round of 16.
Jump on the Wagen - Volkswagen
The folks at Volkswagen get my vote for best commercials of the opening match with this commercial (the first in what looks to be a series) that shows fans from countries around the globe vying for the support of Americans. You know, since our team choked in qualifying. "Don't forget the tweezer!"
Everything Changes - Gatorade
Now maybe it's because I'm a longtime Barça fan that I love this one so much. Two of the world's greats, an Argentine and a Uruguayan are teammates and real life buddies most of the time (at least if their Instagram accounts are to be believed). Not so this summer, as the tournament puts their friendship to the test in hilarious fashion.
Root for Your Roots - 23andMe
Another company that's capitalizing on the fact that U.S. fans are a bit unanchored this summer is 23andMe, the genomics company that tests your DNA to give a breakdown of your genetic ancestry. While this ad isn't funny like the first two, it's clever (though not quite clever enough to get me rooting for my own Germany roots).
Create the Answer - Adidas
Adidas called up a huge roster of soccer heroes past and present, pop culture icons and the world's best street footballers and freestylers for this star-studded ad. How many celebs can you spot?
That's Some Kind of Power - Powerade
Not to be outdone by their rival Gatorade, Powerade's "Movie" ad is for the fans around the world, young and old, who've ever daydreamed about what their big moment on the field would look like.
The FIFA World Cup Is Here - Bud Light
The king and his "Dilly Dilly" phrase introduced during the 2018 Super Bowl commercials makes a return appearance in the World Cup. After a visit to Oracle Susana with a case of Bud Light as an offering, we're pretty sure he's not a soccer fan.
That's it for now, but if you're not watching the games for yourself (which you definitely should be!), check back here daily to see more of the best commercials from the 2018 World Cup.