A Global Push for Food‑And‑Sip Moments
Pepsi has rolled out a sweeping "Soccer Deserves Pepsi" initiative that places food‑and‑drink pairings at the heart of the sport’s biggest stages. Featuring soccer icons David Beckham, Memo Ochoa, Christian Pulisic and Vini Jr., the campaign stretches across English‑ and Spanish‑language television spots, social media clips and limited‑edition packaging.
The effort is being produced in collaboration with advertising powerhouse BBDO, digital soccer hub Copa90 and The PepsiCo Studio, while also tapping delivery platform DoorDash to offer exclusive discounts and a sweepstakes prize that includes a grill, projector and other home‑viewing upgrades.
Two 30‑second commercials highlight everyday snack rituals — wings during a match, tacos while cheering — paired with a cold Pepsi. Gustavo Reyna, Pepsi’s vice president of marketing, said the brand believes Pepsi Zero Sugar can sharpen the excitement of live soccer, turning ordinary viewing into a more immersive experience.
Beyond the ads, the campaign extends into a content series with Copa90 that explores how local food traditions intertwine with soccer culture across the United States, Mexico, Brazil and England. A dedicated "Pepsi Football Nation" microsite will even feature a browser extension that swaps the word "soccer" for "football," reinforcing the brand’s global reach.
The rollout coincides with the UEFA Champions League final and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, marking what Pepsi describes as a "summer of soccer" during which its food‑focused messaging will dominate retail shelves and digital feeds.
Financially, the push arrives as PepsiCo reported a 2.6% increase in organic revenue for the first quarter of 2026, with both food and beverage divisions showing sequential growth in North America, underscoring the company’s confidence in leveraging sports‑linked activations to drive sales.