Football World Cup: Pink shoes and robot referees: World Cup mysteries explained

Pink is the new black

Harry Kane wears them, as does Yan Diomande – and Joshua Kimmich also wore pink shoes at the World Cup. The main reason behind this is the competition between the major suppliers for maximum attention. “Pink stands out particularly well on the green grass – whether in the stadium or in front of the television,” Odinga Nimako from the manufacturer Nike explained to “The Athletic”. Bright colors are also in demand because they give the players additional self-confidence.

The opening game between Mexico and South Africa showed how big the trend has become: 19 of the 22 professionals wore pink or rose-colored shoes. The eye-catching models have long been more than just sports equipment – for many players they are part of their own brand identity. “Athletes demand the most advanced performance shoes available and increasingly want products that reflect their individuality,” Rob Sheldon, head of football product at New Balance, told CNN.

Holes in the nozzles

If you look closely, you will discover holes in the sockets of more and more professionals. There is no fashion trend behind this, but rather a practical one. Many players complain that modern compression socks constrict the calf muscles too much. The incisions are intended to reduce pressure and improve blood circulation.

One of the most famous players is England’s international Bellingham. However, many doctors only suspect a placebo effect. “In the end it just looks cool for them. If you believe in it, it has an effect, that sometimes helps more than anything else,” explained sports scientist Veit Senner to “FuPa Oberbayern”.

Referees look like cyborgs

It was a memorable performance from Wilton Sampaio in the opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa at the Aztec Stadium. The Brazilian referee showed three red cards and caused a smile with a bumpy stadium announcement in English. But the most striking thing was his futuristic-looking headdress: Like all World Cup referees, Sampaio wore a side-mounted referee cam with a microphone and headphones for the first time.

On social media, the Brazilian was promptly compared to a robot or cyborg – a creature that augments its human capabilities through technological means. According to FIFA, the technology is intended to make decisions easier for fans to understand.

What’s the deal with the West?

The heat in North America is one of the big issues at the World Cup – even if the feared extreme conditions have so far failed to materialize in many places. Many teams are already using cooling vests. Spain uses vests with frozen gel inserts during training. They are designed to lower body temperature, reduce stress and speed recovery.

Why do the Portuguese wear bracelets?

Co-favorites Portugal always carry the memory of the fatally injured national player Diogo Jota with them at the World Cup. Before departing for the USA, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro presented each player with a bracelet in the country’s colors green and red. It bears the names of all World Cup drivers as well as a dedication to Jota. The Liverpool FC striker died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025. Exactly a year later, Portugal won their round of 16 against Croatia.

Mini shin guards

Japan’s Keito Nakamura stood out at the World Cup not only for his goal against the Netherlands, but also for his tiny shin pads and low socks. A trend that is becoming increasingly established worldwide – primarily because of the greater wearing comfort and better mobility. But: “Mini shin guards can increase the risk of injury because they cover a smaller part of the shin bone compared to larger shin guards,” the English Football Association once said.

Hochkrempel as a secret code?

Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo does it regularly before free kicks, England’s Declan Rice before corners: more and more footballers not only wear their trousers particularly tight, but also roll up one trouser leg before standard situations. Why? “It shows that he wants to appear strong and powerful. The fact that he pulls up his shorts and shows off his incredible thigh muscles probably plays a role in that,” Rob Warner, former head of design at Puma, told The Athletic.

There is also another theory circulating: the rolled-up trouser leg could serve as a secret code for the other players. If Rice lifts his right trouser leg before a corner, it could mean that the ball is hit at the far post.