McDonald’s is going all in on the FIFA World Cup 2026 with what the fast-food giant calls its biggest-ever global marketing campaign. At the heart of the push is a deceptively simple idea: a collectible paper cup. Available across more than 100 markets worldwide, the FIFA World Cup 26 Meal pairs a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets with one of nine limited-edition cups featuring international soccer legends, including David Beckham and Ronaldinho, alongside regional fan favourites like Christian Pulisic for US customers — and, naturally, Grimace.
A Nostalgic Strategy Built for Repeat Visits
The campaign draws direct inspiration from McDonald’s iconic Dream Team Cups of the 1990s, tapping into the power of nostalgia while applying classic collectible economics. With nine distinct designs on offer, customers have a built-in reason to return again and again throughout the summer. Crucially, the cups carry no discount — the incentive is the collectible itself, not a lower price point. For families, a Happy Meal version sweetens the deal with 23 collectible Squishmallow plushies, targeting younger audiences and driving additional foot traffic.
Bringing the World Cup to Everyday Moments
McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley has described the campaign’s ambition as bringing the energy and emotion of the World Cup closer to everyday consumers — not just those inside stadiums. By anchoring a major cultural moment to a routine purchase, the brand transforms an ordinary meal into a shareable experience. It is a textbook move in experiential retail: create scarcity, attach it to emotion, and let customers do the marketing. If the 1990s cups are any indication, the nostalgia alone may be enough to keep the queues moving all summer long.