Why are footballers wearing pink boots at the World Cup?

Why are footballers wearing pink boots at the World Cup?Published11 June 2026Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pink boots as far as the eye can see in the Mexico v South Africa opening gameThere was a time when football boots came in one colour - black.That has not been the case over the past quarter of a century or so, with all the colours of the rainbow coming to the party as the major brands have sought to stand out from the crowd.Yet at the 2026 World Cup, things appear to have come full circle, with players all back to wearing the same colour again - only this time it is pink.The key reason is because the top-selling global brands Nike, Adidas and Puma have all produced similarly-styled boots in similar hues for the showpiece event.That was evident during the opening match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, when almost every player on the pitch appeared to be wearing bright pink boots.Here is why it will be the dominant colour at the World Cup.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Why are so many World Cup players in pink boots?Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formHow did brands know pink was 'in' for 2026?In the past, industry-leading brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma have often favoured more understated black and white designs. But this summer their latest releases have been centred around standing out from the crowd through bold, vibrant colours.Back in 2024, consumer trend forecaster WGSN predicted 'Electric Fuchsia' would be one of the defining colours of the 2026 summer season.The company described "a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality" and a "luminous hue, sitting between pink and purple".Whether such a prediction resonated with the design experts at Nike, Adidas and Puma, we can't say.So is it a coincidence almost every major boot style is pink?Image source, Getty Ima...