Pink cleats have become tough to overlook in the ongoing edition of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Stars like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, and Harry Kane have walked the pitch in bright pink at stadiums across the US, Canada, and Mexico as part of a synchronised wave of releases from Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers. The change is significant because it is changing how spectators recognise players from a distance and reflects a larger industry wager on colour as a marketing tactic at the highest level of football.
