Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Pink boots as far as the eye can see in the Mexico v South Africa opening game
There 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 played
Why are so many World Cup players in pink boots?
Contact form Contact form How 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 Images Image caption, Nike's half pink, half white boot design will be one of the pink boots on show at the World Cup
When manufacturers begin to design new boots - a process that can start up to two years before release - they often consult trend forecasters such as WGSN to learn which colours, themes and styles are likely to be 'in' when the product eventually hits the shelves.
But there are other factors as to why pink has been a hit in football.
Of course, players are far more open to wearing extravagant boots than previous generations.
But the simple reason the companies have hit upon pink is because of how it contrasts with the green of the pitch.
It stands out whether you are watching on television, at the stadium, or scrolling on your phone.
The pink boot shows up if you are looking at slow-motion clips, or watching under stadium lights.
But the irony may be that, with so many manufacturers arriving at pink, perhaps it is more difficult for their designs to stand out?
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Several England players wore pink boots during the friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday
Sources: BBC Sport
