The 2026 World Cup began in Mexico City with a match that was as colourful as it was chaotic. Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0, but the result was overshadowed by three red cards – two of them controversial – an explosion of pink boots and the introduction of mandatory cooling breaks that have already angered fans.
Almost every player on the pitch wore bright pink boots, a phenomenon driven by the top-selling global brands Nike, Adidas and Puma all producing similarly-styled boots in similar hues for the showpiece event. The colour choice was not accidental: back in 2024, consumer trend forecaster WGSN predicted 'Electric Fuchsia' – described as "a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality" and "a luminous hue, sitting between pink and purple" – would be one of the defining colours of the 2026 summer season. Whether that prediction directly influenced the manufacturers is unclear, but the pink boot stands out against the green pitch whether watched on television, at the stadium, or on a phone screen.
“Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a chaotic World Cup opener featuring three red cards, pink boots and mandatory cooling breaks.”
Amid the visual spectacle, FIFA’s new hydration policy made its tournament debut. At exactly 22 minutes into each half, the referee halted play for a mandatory three-minute cooling break. The measure applies to every game, regardless of local weather or whether a stadium has a closed roof and climate control. FIFA introduced the rule after last summer’s Club World Cup, where players voiced alarm over extreme heat. Enzo Fernandez said he felt "really dizzy" in "very dangerous" conditions, while Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente recalled feeling "terribly hot" – "my toes were sore, my nails were hurting – it's incredible." FIFA described the breaks as "part of a focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing upon the experiences of previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup."
The pauses also create a predictable schedule for broadcasters, who have been given the green light to show advertisements during them. Commercial broadcasters can opt for a split-screen or a full advert, though ITV has decided against doing so, and the BBC does not show adverts at all. The decision to allow ad breaks has infuriated fans, who suspect financial motivations lay behind FIFA’s introduction of the breaks.
With three red cards, a 2-0 victory for the co-hosts, and a kaleidoscope of pink boots, the opening game set a tone of upheaval that will be hard to follow. All 1,248 players at the tournament now face the same mandatory stops – and the same glare of the pitch-side cameras.