- Cristo Fernández reunites with Tequila Cazadores for a second summer, fronting "Carded by Cristo," timed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The campaign flips fútbol's yellow/red card system into "Real Fan Cards", personality archetypes paired with matching CAZADORES cocktails.
- The deal brokered by Jacob Berne of Gersh and Michelle Overall of M Booth; announced June 16, 2026.
- The campaign includes in-person fan surprises, a returning bottle jersey, and Fernández's signature "El Golazo" cocktail.
Tequila CAZADORES, the premium tequila brand rooted in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, is reuniting with Mexican actor, filmmaker, and professional fútbol player Cristo Fernández to celebrate fútbol fans through “Carded by Cristo.”
The campaign reimagines fútbol’s iconic yellow and red card as a badge of pride for “Real Fans” everywhere, anchored by the CAZADORES Real Fan Cards, archetypes Fernández himself plays, from “The Party Animal” and “The Loyalist” to “The Rally Champ” and “The Pitch Purist.”
This is the brand’s second straight summer with Fernández, the Guadalajara native best known as Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso.
Fernández has spent the last year reconnecting with his roots as a professional footballer, recently returning to the sport with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship, a real-life echo of his fictional role. He’s called the timing a “full-circle moment” as the World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, draws global attention to the sport.
Fans 21+ can take an online quiz at the campaign hub to find their fan identity and matching cocktail, with a corresponding cocktail recommendation inspired by their supporter style.
Returning from last year is El Golazo, built around Tequila CAZADORES Reposado, pineapple juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and jalapeño.
Fernández will also make surprise appearances at watch parties throughout the summer, and a limited-edition fútbol bottle jersey returns to select markets.
Madam Paleta Tequila’s recent celebrity tie-in with Nikki Bella, and Casillero del Diablo’s global ambassador push with Orlando Bloom signal spirits brands are leaning hard into star power this year. Cocktail-branded campaigns are trending broadly too, as seen with Jonathan Bailey and Martini’s cinematic summer rollout.
Fernández is also juggling a busy slate: Ted Lasso Season 4 premieres August 5, and his indie film No Translation Required is in the works.
Takeaways
Brands are realizing celebrity-fútbol crossovers hit different when the star actually plays the sport. Fernández isn’t just an ambassador, he’s a real forward.
Pairing identity quizzes with product recommendations (a cocktail for your “fan type”) is quietly becoming a smart data-and-engagement play, not just a gimmick. Second-year partnerships also signal something brands love: proven ROI worth repeating.
Does Fernández’s real soccer career make this partnership feel more authentic than typical celebrity endorsements? How much does World Cup timing amplify a campaign like this versus launching it any other summer?
