Pink cleats are everywhere at the World Cup—here’s why
The bright pink boots popping up across the World Cup aren’t just for style—here’s the simple reason players are wearing them.
Trisha Easto
- Many players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the majority of the USA team, are wearing bright pink cleats.
- The choice to wear pink cleats is not for a specific cause but is due to a current fashion trend in soccer.
Team USA is off to a phenomenal start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a Mexico win to start the tournament and Canada narrowly avoiding a loss (tied 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina), it's not a bad start for all three host countries. If you've turned on a game, or scrolled social media, you've probably seen something about the World Cup kicking off, but have you noticed that a large majority of players are wearing bright pink cleats?
The USA TODAY Shopping team noticed. The majority of Team USA is wearing neon pink cleats that stand out on the grass at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The question is, why? The answer is much more simple than you might think. Whether you're looking for yourself, or a little footballer of your own, we rounded up some of the latest pink soccer cleats from top brands like Nike, adidas and Puma.
Watch every World Cup game with FuboWhy is Team USA wearing pink cleats at the 2026 World Cup?
I'm sorry to report that the answer is fairly boring—Team USA is wearing pink cleats because they're trendy. Several brands have released cleats in bright pink colorways and they definitely stand out on the pitch, so they've become popular with players. Here are some of the newest pink cleat options from top soccer brands.
Shop pink cleats from Nike, adidas and more
Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 Elite Artificial-Grass Low-Top Soccer Cleats
Nike Tiempo Maestro Elite Firm-Ground Low-Top Soccer Cleats
adidas F50 Hyperfast Elite Laceless Firm Ground Soccer Cleats
adidas PREDATOR ELITE Fold-Over Tongue Soft Ground Soccer Cleats
Puma FUTURE 9 MATCH Men's FirmArtificial Ground Soccer Cleats
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