Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:43 p.m. / Updated Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:48 p.m.
Almost all the starters in the match that opened the WC 2026 on Thursday, Mexico – South Africa 2-0, they were shrill. The pink caught the eye of the “Azteca” support and the audience in front of the televisions. This is also because FIFA decided for the first time that, during the singing of the national anthems, all 26 players from the team should sit in a circle in the center of the field.
There was a time when football boots were only one color, black. However, the trend changed in the last quarter of a century, so that all the colors of the rainbow came to be present on the lawn, as the big brands sought to stand out, the palette being varied.
Adidas, Nike and Puma, who are supplying 37 teams at WC 2026, have produced boots with almost identical styles and shades!
At the 2026 World Cup, things seem to be back to normal, with players wearing the same color again. Only this time the dominant hue is pink. And this jumped into the eyes of the spectators on Thursday evening, since the opening match, in which the Mexican hosts won the confrontation with the South Africans (2-0).
The latest pink shoe model produced by Nike
The main reason is that top global brands Adidas, Nike and Puma, which equip 37 of the 48 teams participating in the North American tournament they all produced boots with similar style and almost identical shades!
In the past, leading brands in the sports equipment industry preferred more discreet models in black and white. But this summer, the latest models released focused on standing out through bold and vibrant colorsas the BBC also notes.
WGSN: “Electric Fuchsia will be one of the defining colors of summer 2026. A vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality”
In 2024, renowned trend forecasting expert WGSN predicted that “Electric Fuchsia” will be one of the defining colors of the 2026 summer season. The company mentioned “a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality” and a “bright pink-to-purple hue.”
The Mexicans see life in rosy light after their opening Group A victory, 2-0 against South Africa
The question is whether it can be a coincidence that almost every major shoe model is pink. “When manufacturers begin designing new boots – a process that can begin up to two years before launch – they often consult with trend forecasters such as WGSN.
The goal is to find out what colors, themes and styles are likely to be “trendy”. when the product will finally hit the shelves,” the British also explain.
The chosen pink contrasts with the green of the field. But players are now much more open to wearing extravagant boots
But there are other factors that explain why pink has caught on in football. Players are much more open to wearing extravagant boots than previous generations. But the simple reason why companies they chose pink is how it contrasts with the green of the field.
The 11 starters of the national team of Mexico (above) and of the South African team (below) predominantly wore pink boots
It stands out whether you're watching TV, at the stadium or scrolling through the pictures on your phone. The pink ice pops prominently if you're watching slow motion clips or watching from the stands in the spotlight. So it's very visible.
The BBC concludes the analysis with a fair question: “The irony would be that with so many manufacturers choosing pink, maybe it will be harder for their designs to stand out?”
