By Will Corry
Publisher, The Marketing Blog
Last reviewed: 11 June 2026
The people in the latest Walkers advert are Sir David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Alexia Putellas and Steve Carell.
They appear together in Walkers’ No Walkers, No Game campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26™.
The advert brings four famous football names together with an unexpected Hollywood actor. It also features real shoppers who are surprised in a supermarket and invited to an Epic Football Watch Party hosted by Beckham.
However, Walkers has released several adverts in recent years. Some viewers may be searching for Karl Sedgwick, Lauren James, Leah Williamson or Gary Lineker instead.
Here is the complete guide to the people in the Walkers advert.
Who Are the People in the Walkers Advert?
| Person | Role in the Walkers advert | Why you may recognise them |
|---|---|---|
| Sir David Beckham | Host of the Epic Football Watch Party | Former England captain and Manchester United midfielder |
| Lionel Messi | Football star in the watch-party campaign | Argentina World Cup winner |
| Thierry Henry | Football star in the watch-party campaign | Former Arsenal and France striker |
| Alexia Putellas | Football star in the watch-party campaign | Barcelona and Spain midfielder |
| Steve Carell | Comedy guest star | Actor best known for The Office US |
| Real Walkers shoppers | Surprise party guests | Members of the public invited after buying Walkers crisps |
The current World Cup commercial develops a simple idea: the stars have organised a football party but realise they do not have enough crisps.
They head to a supermarket and invite shoppers carrying Walkers packets to join them.
That gives the advert a mix of celebrity recognition and genuine reactions from members of the public.
Who Is David Beckham in the Walkers Advert?
Sir David Beckham hosts the Epic Football Watch Party.
The former England captain remains one of the most recognisable British footballers in the world. He played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain during his career.
Beckham has appeared in earlier No Walkers, No Game activity with Thierry Henry.
The 2026 advert gives him a larger role. He hosts the party and helps turn a supermarket trip into a surprise event for Walkers shoppers.
The casting works because Beckham is familiar far beyond football. Even viewers who do not follow the sport will recognise him immediately.
Who Is Lionel Messi in the Walkers Advert?
Lionel Messi is one of the football stars appearing in the advert.
Messi captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He spent much of his club career at Barcelona before playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
His involvement gives the campaign an international audience.
UK viewers will see Walkers branding. However, viewers in many other countries will see related adverts under the Lay’s name.
Walkers and Lay’s are both part of PepsiCo’s snack business.
That is why searches for the same campaign may return Walkers and Lay’s versions of the advert.
Who Is Thierry Henry in the Walkers Advert?
Thierry Henry is the former Arsenal and France striker in the campaign.
Henry remains one of the most familiar football figures in British advertising and broadcasting.
He has appeared in earlier Walkers football adverts, including previous versions of No Walkers, No Game.
His return creates continuity. Viewers who saw the earlier Beckham and Henry adverts will recognise the same matchday-snack idea in the World Cup campaign.
Who Is Alexia Putellas in the Walkers Advert?
Alexia Putellas is the female football star in the Walkers advert.
She plays for Barcelona and Spain and is one of the best-known figures in women’s football.
Putellas also provides another Barcelona connection alongside Messi.
Her inclusion matters because the campaign reflects a wider football audience. Walkers is not building the advert only around retired male players.
Instead, it brings together different generations and areas of the sport.
Why Is Steve Carell in the Walkers Advert?
Steve Carell is the Hollywood actor appearing with Beckham, Messi, Henry and Putellas.
British viewers may know him best as Michael Scott in the American version of The Office.
He has also appeared in films including:
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin;
- Anchorman;
- Little Miss Sunshine;
- Crazy, Stupid, Love;
- Foxcatcher;
- the Despicable Me films.
Carell is the unexpected member of the cast.
The four football names make immediate sense. Carell does not have the same obvious sporting connection.
That contrast gives the advert its comedy value and helps it stand out from a standard football sponsorship campaign.
What Happens in the Latest Walkers Advert?
The latest World Cup film begins with the stars preparing for an Epic Football Watch Party.
However, they discover one problem: they do not have enough Walkers crisps.
The group heads to a supermarket and surprises shoppers. People carrying Walkers packets receive invitations to Beckham’s party.
The reactions are not presented as scripted performances. The campaign uses unsuspecting shoppers to create a more spontaneous feel.
The idea follows the central No Walkers, No Game message: a football party is not complete without Walkers.
You can view the campaign through the official No Walkers, No Game World Cup hub.
What Is the Epic Football Watch Party?
The Epic Football Watch Party is Walkers’ main World Cup campaign activity.
Before the latest advert appeared, Walkers introduced the five stars through a WhatsApp channel.
Fans can follow the group as they discuss:
- the party playlist;
- the guest list;
- matchday snacks;
- football debates;
- behind-the-scenes content;
- reactions during the tournament.
The campaign runs through the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament.
Creative Salon’s campaign report explains how the WhatsApp format gives fans access to the fictional group-chat discussion.
What Is No Walkers, No Game?
No Walkers, No Game is Walkers’ football advertising platform.
The message is easy to understand. Watching football feels better with crisps.
Walkers first used the idea in earlier football campaigns before expanding it for the 2026 World Cup.
The latest version combines:
| Campaign element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| David Beckham | Instant British recognition |
| Lionel Messi | Global football reach |
| Thierry Henry | Continuity with earlier Walkers adverts |
| Alexia Putellas | Connection with women’s football |
| Steve Carell | Surprise and comedy |
| Real shoppers | Unscripted reactions |
| WhatsApp channel | Fan interaction during the tournament |
This gives Walkers more than a standard television commercial.
The brand can use the same idea across TV, social media, WhatsApp and promotional activity during the tournament.
Who Is the Man Playing Nigel in the Walkers Advert?
Some viewers may be searching for Quality Control Nigel rather than the World Cup cast.
The actor playing Nigel is Karl Sedgwick.
Sedgwick confirmed publicly that he appeared as “Quality Control Nigel” in a Walkers crisps TV campaign.
You can view Karl Sedgwick’s confirmation on Instagram.
Nigel is not part of the current Epic Football Watch Party advert.
He appears in a separate Walkers TV commercial and should not be confused with Beckham, Henry, Messi, Putellas or Carell.
Were Lauren James and Leah Williamson in a Walkers Advert?
Yes. Lauren James and Leah Williamson appeared in an earlier No Walkers, No Game advert ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament.
The England players visited pubs and bars while searching for somewhere to watch a match.
However, there was one condition: the venue needed to serve Walkers crisps.
The advert connected the brand with women’s football and extended the same matchday-snack message.
Little Black Book’s campaign report confirms the appearance of James and Williamson.
They are not part of the current World Cup advert. However, older videos may still appear online.
Is Gary Lineker Still in the Walkers Adverts?
Gary Lineker remains closely linked with Walkers because he appeared in the brand’s adverts for many years.
His classic commercials often used the same joke: Lineker would try to steal somebody else’s crisps.
That running idea turned him into one of the most recognisable faces in British advertising.
However, Lineker is not part of the confirmed 2026 World Cup cast.
Walkers now uses a larger group of celebrities and footballers rather than relying on one long-running spokesperson.
For more examples of familiar advertising faces, read our guide to commercial actors behind memorable adverts.
What Is Your Little Slice of Joy?
Walkers is also running a separate brand platform called Your Little Slice of Joy.
The campaign launched in March 2026 with advertising agency VCCP.
It includes short films set in everyday situations, including:
- a crowded office lift;
- the stands at a football match;
- someone watching a television series;
- a parent taking a quiet moment away from the children.
The films focus on small moments when people enjoy a packet of crisps.
This campaign is separate from the World Cup advert. However, viewers may see both campaigns during the same period.
Creative Salon’s report on Your Little Slice of Joy provides the campaign background and production credits.
Who Made the Walkers World Cup Advert?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | Walkers |
| Campaign | No Walkers, No Game |
| Main activation | Epic Football Watch Party |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 26™ |
| Creative agency | VCCP |
| Parent company | PepsiCo |
| Fan channel | |
| Main cast | David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Alexia Putellas and Steve Carell |
Walkers is using the campaign across television, online video, social media and WhatsApp.
The supermarket scene gives the advert a human element. Meanwhile, the celebrity cast brings reach across football and entertainment audiences.
Marketing Insight: Why the Walkers Advert Works
Celebrity football adverts are common during major tournaments.
However, Walkers has added two useful twists.
First, Steve Carell changes the tone. His appearance is unexpected, which makes the cast more memorable.
Second, the supermarket scene introduces real shoppers. Their reactions make the advert feel less polished and more shareable.
The campaign also extends beyond television.
Fans can follow the WhatsApp channel during the tournament, giving Walkers a way to keep the campaign active after the advert has aired.
That is a smart use of familiar behaviour. Football fans already discuss matches through group chats.
Walkers has placed its brand inside that habit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the people in the Walkers advert?
The people in the latest Walkers World Cup advert are Sir David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Alexia Putellas and Steve Carell.
Who is the woman in the Walkers advert?
Alexia Putellas is the woman in the latest World Cup advert. She plays for Barcelona and Spain.
Who is the American actor in the Walkers advert?
Steve Carell is the American actor appearing with the football stars.
Is David Beckham in the Walkers advert?
Yes. Sir David Beckham hosts the Epic Football Watch Party.
Is Lionel Messi in the Walkers advert?
Yes. Lionel Messi appears in the World Cup campaign with Beckham, Henry, Putellas and Carell.
Who is the man playing Nigel in the Walkers advert?
Karl Sedgwick plays Quality Control Nigel in a separate Walkers TV advert.
Were Lauren James and Leah Williamson in a Walkers advert?
Yes. Lauren James and Leah Williamson appeared in a 2025 Walkers campaign linked to the UEFA Women’s Euro tournament.
Is Gary Lineker still in the Walkers advert?
Gary Lineker remains closely associated with Walkers because of his classic adverts. However, he is not part of the confirmed 2026 World Cup cast.
Are Walkers and Lay’s the same company?
Walkers and Lay’s are both part of PepsiCo’s snack business. The branding varies by market.
Related Commercial Actor Guides
Readers interested in the people behind popular adverts may also enjoy:
- Commercial Actors: Who’s in the Biggest Adverts?
- T-Mobile Commercial Actors: Who Is in the Latest Ads?
- Who Is the Actor in the Nationwide Advert?
- Why Did the AT&T Girl Go Viral?
- Who Is in the Fairy Advert?
- Who Is the Man in the Trivago Advert?
External Sources
- Official No Walkers, No Game World Cup hub
- Creative Salon: Walkers assembles star-studded World Cup group chat
- Roastbrief: No Walkers, No Game returns for the FIFA World Cup
- Karl Sedgwick: Quality Control Nigel confirmation
- Little Black Book: Lauren James and Leah Williamson Walkers advert
- Creative Salon: Your Little Slice of Joy
The people in the latest Walkers advert are Sir David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Alexia Putellas and Steve Carell.
They appear together in the No Walkers, No Game World Cup campaign.
The advert also includes real shoppers who are invited to Beckham’s Epic Football Watch Party after buying Walkers crisps.
Karl Sedgwick plays Quality Control Nigel in a separate Walkers TV advert. Lauren James, Leah Williamson and Gary Lineker appeared in earlier Walkers campaigns.
About the Author
Will Corry is the publisher of The Marketing Blog. He has more than 30 years of experience in publishing and has managed more than 40 trade publications. He writes about advertising, brand strategy and the people behind memorable commercials.