Three players were sent off — two in controversial fashion — as co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. But the most arresting sight on the pitch in Mexico City was not the red cards nor the scoreline: it was the boots. Almost every player appeared to be wearing bright pink.
That uniformity is no accident. According to a BBC Sport analysis, the top-selling global brands Nike, Adidas and Puma have all produced similarly-styled boots in similar hues for the showpiece event. The trend was predicted as early as 2024 by consumer forecaster WGSN, which named ‘Electric Fuchsia’ as one of the defining colours of the 2026 summer season, describing it as “a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality” and “a luminous hue, sitting between pink and purple”.
“Three red cards and a sea of pink boots marked Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa in the World Cup opener.”
Manufacturers begin designing boots up to two years before release, often consulting trend forecasters to learn which colours will be ‘in’. But the simple reason pink has become a hit is its contrast with the green of the pitch — it stands out on television, in the stadium, and on mobile phones. Yet, as BBC Sport notes, the irony may be that with so many manufacturers arriving at pink, it becomes harder for their designs to stand out.
While the fashion statement dominated the opener, the action was equally eventful. Mexico secured a 2-0 victory, with three red cards shown, two of which were controversial. The result leaves Mexico top of Group A, alongside South Korea, who later beat Czechia 2-1 thanks to a comeback inspired by In-beom Hwang.
UK viewers can follow every moment of the expanded 48-team tournament through comprehensive highlights on the BBC and ITV. The BBC will provide packages for all matches, including its 54 live games, available on iPlayer in Ultra HD. ITV, which has 51 exclusive live matches, will offer highlights via ITVX, featuring a dedicated World Cup hub and a special “World Cup 24/7 Channel”. Both broadcasters will also offer post-match punditry: BBC’s analysis comes from its Salford hub with presenters Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, while ITV’s team of Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville will dissect games from an outdoor studio in Brooklyn, New York.
The tournament continues with more group-stage fixtures as the 2026 World Cup, which began with Shakira and Burna Boy’s opening ceremony, gets fully underway.