Adidas apologizes for pink boot flood at 2026 World Cup

Adidas chief executive Bjørn Gulden said the overwhelming presence of pink football boots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada was a "coincidence" and offered an apology on behalf of the company. He stressed that Adidas had no coordinated strategy with rival brands and that the colour choice was not intentional. Gulden promised a broader palette of colours for the next club season, noting that distributors usually alert manufacturers to such market overlaps.

The German sportswear group had heavily invested in the tournament, supplying equipment to 14 national teams, including finalists Spain and Argentina, co‑hosts Mexico and the early‑exiting German side, as well as referee kits and match balls. Following the earnings presentation, Adidas lifted its 2026 revenue outlook by 9‑10 % but its share price fell about 18 % after the comments. Nike product manager Odinga Nimako said many players view pink boots as a statement of confidence, adding that the colour’s visibility can be an advantage on the pitch.