Channing Tatum Goes Full Erling Haaland Twin for Nike’s World Cup 2026 Short Film
Channing Tatum stars in Nike’s new 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, taking on a role inspired by Erling Haaland in a football-themed short film.
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Channing Tatum and Erling Haaland (Image: Sneaker News)
Channing Tatum makes a surprise appearance as an Erling Haaland lookalike in Nike Football’s new short film, Rip The Script, released on June 4 as part of the brand’s buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The six-minute film boasts a star-studded cast of athletes and celebrities, centering on a fictional movie production that descends into chaos when football stars abandon the script and decide to play the game on their own terms.
The story opens on a film set where a frustrated director struggles to maintain control of the production. As cameras roll, players, including Kylian Mbappé, begin to tire of the heavily scripted environment. The atmosphere quickly shifts when footballs start flying across the set, transforming the production into an exhilarating display of skill, creativity, and competition.
Tatum appears in one of the film’s standout moments, portraying a Haaland doppelgänger patiently waiting for instructions. The gag reaches its peak when the real Haaland arrives and jumps into the action as the production continues to unravel.
Nike assembled an impressive lineup of personalities for the campaign, including Travis Scott, Kim Kardashian, LISA, Young Miko, and former Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. Ibrahimović initially appears as a broadcaster within the fictional production before abandoning the studio desk and joining the on-set mayhem.
Another memorable sequence features LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo seated together in a conference room, discussing a fictional movie centered on retirement. The scene serves as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the remarkable longevity of two athletes who continue to perform at the highest level of their respective sports.
As the film unfolds, its message becomes increasingly clear: football’s most memorable moments are born from instinct, imagination, and freedom rather than rigid planning. The commercial concludes with players racing toward a loose ball before Haaland arrives to deliver the final strike, bringing the chaotic spectacle to a fitting finish.
The campaign is one of Nike Football’s largest promotional efforts ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Channing Tatum films Isle of Man movie during the legendary Isle of Man TT race
While appearing in Nike’s latest football campaign, Channing Tatum is also working on a separate sports project centered on motorcycle racing.
According to BBC TopGear, the actor recently traveled to the Isle of Man as production continued on the Isle of Man, a feature film from Amazon MGM Studios, and Plan B Entertainment that is being shot during the real Isle of Man TT event.
The annual race attracts thousands of visitors and is regarded as one of the most challenging motorcycle competitions in the world. Tatum has been filming alongside Eve Hewson and Ciarán Hinds at locations including the assembly area, grandstands, and start line during this year’s event.
The production is using the live race as a backdrop, similar to the approach taken by the upcoming Formula 1 film starring Brad Pitt. Reports indicate that Tatum and director Reid Carolin have spent approximately four years researching the TT and making repeated visits to the island before filming began.
Carolin emphasized the film’s focus on authenticity, saying, “My job is to capture the love of the race and also the love of the place.”
The project is being produced in cooperation with race organizers and local authorities. Box to Box Films, the company behind Formula 1’s Drive to Survive, is also involved through a separate documentary project focused on the Isle of Man TT.
Filming continued throughout the 2026 race period, with production crews operating alongside the live event as work progresses on the upcoming feature.
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