With just over 150 thousand inhabitants, Curaçao will be participating in a World Cup for the first time. If it weren’t for FIFA’s decision to increase the number of participants in the World Cup from 32 to 48, the Caribbean team would most likely not have qualified.
With a population more than a thousand times larger than that of Curaçao, Brazil is the only country whose men’s team has been to all 22 editions of the World Cup. We have already been champions five times, and the Dutch-influenced island will have a glorious day if it manages to win one of its group matches.
Curaçao, however, defeated Brazil in the way they presented their squad for the competition. Over the course of more than an hour, the show put on by the CBF had an embarrassing theatrical presentation and anodyne speeches, if not irritating jingoism.
Only the tributes to Pelé, who died in 2022, and Zagallo, two years later, were saved.
The Caribbean country resolved it well in a video of less than two minutes. One of the most popular singers on the islands in the region, Jeon appears during a recording when a boy knocks on the studio door. The boy carries an envelope with the names of those chosen by coach Dick Advocaat. Jeon sings again, but now the melody is accompanied by the names of the players, one by one.
The resource is simple and engaging.
Although the solution found by Curaçao is a good surprise, the Caribbean people’s video is not at the top of the creativity rankings.
In this regard, England’s production is, for now, the winner. It begins with an excerpt from an interview given by John Lennon in 1964, during the Beatles’ first visit to the USA. When asked “Do you think you’re very English?” Lennon doesn’t hesitate: “Yes, we’re happy English.”
From then on, to the sound of “Come Together”, a young man runs through the streets of New York while the names of those called up appear in the most unusual spaces, like a sign on top of a taxi. Suddenly, an animation in the style of “Yellow Submarine” begins, and more names appear printed on umbrellas.
It’s two and a half minutes based on the influence of the Liverpool quartet on the culture of the USA, the country that hosts this World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.
It’s a lesson in conciseness, ingenuity and soft power – if Curaçao has Jeon to sell its image to the world, England goes with the Beatles.
The French were also committed to the search for originality. Les Bleus resorted to animation, like the English, but the players – themselves – are the drivers of most of the minute and a half production.
Names like Dembélé and Olise appear for a few seconds in everyday scenes, such as breakfast and a barbecue. At the market, Doué shops, and Mbappé takes care of the cashier.
The soundtrack does not have the appeal of the music we heard in the English creation. Still, the French video sounds like a fraction of a light, free-flowing comedy.
The tone adopted by France is relaxed, unlike the video from Senegal, which combines epic and ancestral airs. “The canoe is ready to set sail, only warriors will have the honor of boarding,” says one of the characters who live in the West African country.
This is one of the most careful productions from an aesthetic point of view, with several references to the lion, the symbol of the team of Mané, Mendy and co.
Like Senegal, the country’s pride guides the creation launched by Scotland to showcase its athletes. “Football is where the heart beats strongest”, says actor Ewan McGregor amid images of lush landscapes and fans of different ages.
“After 28 long summers, the world will hear our voice again”, adds McGregor about the team, which will face Brazil in the first phase.
The last World Cup played by Scotland was in 1998, a situation also experienced by Norway. The Scandinavians’ video is led by King Herald 5th, who adopts a solemn tone.
“We are united in wishing you the best on this journey,” he says, addressing players like Haaland. As the monarch speaks, we see snow-capped peaks and fishing in the freezing seas – it’s almost a tourism advertisement.
Spain, which announced its squad on Monday (25), is also part of this monarchy & football subgenre. “When our team plays, we all play”, says King Felipe 6º.
His participation, however, is discreet when compared to that of his Norwegian counterpart.
The video aims to emphasize the team’s connection with the Spanish people. The choice of players was made by coach Luis de la Fuente, but the announcement was not made by him. Those called up, such as Lamie Yamal and Rodri, were presented by a diverse group of Spaniards, including a baker, firefighter, taxi driver and scientist.
The Czech Republic took another path, relying on images of their players as boys and teenagers. Family members remember the dedication of the selected athlete while old photos and videos are shown.
It’s not an original feature, but it still works as motivation for players and fans. The team returns to compete in the World Cup after two decades.
In short, we must hope that our players are much more inspired than those who created the call-up announcement, enthusiasts of a patriotism that is confused with demagoguery.
In this chapter in particular, Brazilian creativity did not enter the field.
