Football boots were traditionally associated exclusively with the color black before this field opened up to all colors of the spectrum during the past decades, in a constant attempt by major brands to stand out and make a difference.
In the 2026 World Cup, it seems that things have returned to square one, as the players have once again united to adopt one color, but this time this color was not black, but pink.
This was clearly evident during the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday, where almost every player on the field appeared to be wearing bright pink shoes.
Mexican national team player before facing South Africa
The same observation was repeated in the Czech Republic and South Korea match held on Friday, where most of the players from both teams appeared wearing pink shoes.
South Korean players before facing Czech Republic
But what is the secret behind this popularity of the color pink?
According to a report published by the BBC, the main reason behind this wave is that the three major companies dominating the market, namely the American company Nike, and the German companies Adidas and Puma, have produced designs that are similar in their visual identity specifically for this global event.
In 2024, WGSN, a market forecasting company, predicted that "electric fuchsia" would be one of the defining colors for the summer of 2026, describing it as "a bright shade of color that lies between pink and purple."
It cannot be said for certain that this resonated with the design experts in these companies.
But the reality is that when manufacturers begin designing new shoes, a process that may start two years before their release, they often consult trend forecasting organizations such as WGSN to identify the colors, themes, and designs that are likely to be popular when the product is launched.
However, there are other factors that explain the success of the color pink in the world of football. Today's players are more open and accepting of wearing bold and extravagantly designed shoes compared to previous generations.
However, the simple reason behind companies choosing pink lies in the strong visual contrast that this color creates with the green of the pitch, which stands out clearly whether you are watching the match on television, from the stadium stands, or even while browsing videos on your mobile phone.
The pink shoe shines brightly, whether viewed in slow motion or under the floodlights in stadiums.
But the irony is that, with so many manufacturers turning to pink, it may be difficult for their designs to stand out and differentiate themselves from one another.
