Why almost everyone is wearing pink cleats at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Why almost everyone is wearing pink cleats at the 2026 FIFA World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Particularly at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where almost every player is wearing pink cleats. It's beyond just a fashion statement. It's the trend.

It's a fun look, to be sure. Players have a bright color on their feet, which emphasizes how special their footwork is.

But it's also fascinating -- aren't there other colors? Why aren't there more options? Where's the variety?

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Why are there so many pink cleats at the World Cup?

The Athletic reports that there was a "high demand for bolder colors" for cleats in this year's World Cup.

That story goes on to quote Nike's Odinga Nimako as saying that "bright colors give them confidence."

Pink is good at "amplifying confidence," Nimako told The Athletic.

Once upon a time, most players wore black boots, but no more.

You also used to be able to tell who a particular player was because of bright cleats. Now, though, they all have them.

Lionel Messi is one of the few players who doesn't wear pink on his feet.

From England, Declan Rice joins the party of wearing white boots.

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