After failing to secure spots at the 2026 World Cup, Chelsea teammates Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro appear to be exploring life beyond football.
Thomas Tuchel’s uncompromising England selection caused a stir among Chelsea supporters, as Cole Palmer was omitted from the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
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Joao Pedro also suffered international disappointment after Carlo Ancelotti excluded him from Brazil’s final 26-player roster.
The decision to leave out the Brazilian has sparked criticism, considering the attacker was arguably Chelsea’s standout performer this season. He scored 15 Premier League goals and played a key role in leading the Blues to the FA Cup final.
As for Palmer, his absence is believed to be a consequence of Tuchel’s demanding selection criteria rather than any concerns over his ability.
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro missed on the World Cup and they’re home shooting a music video with Madonna bruh pic.twitter.com/LJp1If2U7n
— (@heis_fede) June 9, 2026
Music icon Madonna has announced a star-studded cinematic companion piece to her forthcoming album Confessions II, with Chelsea pair Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro making surprise appearances.
The 14-minute production premiered globally at New York’s Tribeca Festival on Friday, June 5, before becoming available to audiences worldwide on YouTube on June 8.
Madonna shares the spotlight in the project with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who appears on the collaborative song “Bring Your Love”, while acclaimed actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Kate Moss also feature.
The film boasts an eclectic lineup of guest appearances, including Julia Garner, Shygirl, Arca, Gwendoline Christie, Richard E. Grant, Honey Dijon, Odessa A’zion, and Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes Leon.
Chelsea’s links with the entertainment world extend well beyond this latest project, with several players previously stepping into the spotlight away from football.
Back in 2019, the club partnered with grime musician Capo Lee on a special remix of his song Style & Swag. The video included appearances from N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Tammy Abraham, all showcasing Chelsea’s away strip.
Former academy prospect Derrick Abu also ventured into music, releasing an R&B video for his song Outside during his time at the club.
Meanwhile, Ruud Gullit made appearances in reggae music videos as part of his own crossover into the music scene.
