sports
‘You can’t unsee it’: how hot pink became the unofficial colour of the World Cup
Move over Barbie, ‘electric fuchsia’ is now dominating football’s biggest stages. But why has the sport embraced the colour?
TL;DR
- Hot pink is a prominent color at the World Cup, appearing on goalkeeper jerseys, official attire, and player boots.
- Fashion trend forecasters predicted the resurgence of bright pink ('electric fuchsia') in 2024, which aligns with its visibility in sports.
- Pink's presence in football has been growing for over a decade, with a significant increase in goals scored by players wearing pink boots.
- The color's increasing adoption by major clubs and players, like Lionel Messi, has boosted its acceptance.
- Brands are leveraging pink for its visibility, especially for young fans watching matches on mobile devices.
- Historically, pink was associated with boys, but later became loaded with associations of masculinity and tradition, which are now fading.
- The modern footballer's identity as a brand and style figure makes vibrant colors like pink effective for visibility.