The World Cup always brings out the best in boot culture, and 2026 is already delivering. A sea of pink? Expected. The latest pack colourways may have dominated matchday one, but look beyond the obvious and there was plenty of gold buried. From cult classics and nostalgic throwbacks, to rare customs and brands barely on the radar, the opening round served up some fire variation. So, love it or hate it, here's our picks.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) adidas F50 Elite Messi
We just had to start with him, didn't we. Turning up to his sixth World Cup, wearing his signature edition boots, and bagging a hattrick. That is some serious GOAT sh*t.
Kylian Mbappe (France) Nike Mercurial Superfly XI
Another familiar face on the World Cup scene. Kylian has rocked up to this tournament and carried on right where he left off. The man who is the epitome of speed wearing the brand-new generation of Mercurial Superfly, and that sort of pace is just terrifying. Got to love this shade of pink as well.
Michael Olise (France) Custom Nike Hypervenom
Another French man who is constantly on our boot radar. Olise has brought the swag back to donning a football boot. Whilst most elite players wear the latest drops and colourways, he opts for the iconic Hypervenom silo and has become synonymous with matching the colourways with his kit. And for the special occasion of the World Cup, Olise stepped out in a custom look designed by LA based artist Matty Boy. Cold.
Kai Havertz (Germany) PUMA Future 9
Coming off the back of a successful season with Arsenal, Havertz is looking to continue that success with Germany. And, to be fair, he's off to a good start. Is it down to the Future 9's on his feet? Maybe. Maybe not. But they're definitely hard to miss.
Erling Haaland (Norway) Nike Phantom 6
We're running out of things to say about the Striking Viking. To put it simply, he's a freak on the football pitch. Norway's first World Cup in 28 years and who else would you expect to bag a brace?
Harry Kane (England) Skechers SKX 2 Elite
I have three words. It's coming home. No, but seriously, Harry Kane has been putting up some crazy numbers all season and he ain't stopping now. If anyone's gonna take England all the way, it's him. And, I cant lie, those Skechers boots are looking so good with the all white England kit.
Vozinha (Cabo Verde) Senda Mendoza Elite
The unsung (actually quite sung at this point) hero of Matchday 1 was wearing a pair of boots that you've probably never heard of. Whilst Nike, adidas, and PUMA swarm the feet of most players in the tournament, our guy Vozinha is paving his own path in every way. A clean sheet against the European champions is quite the brag...
Nicolas Raskin (Belgium) Nike Patta Mercurial Vapor
Nicloas Raskin donning one of my favourite boot drops of the year - the Nike collaboration with Patta on the Mercurial. Say what you want, but this boot is so good. Streetwear meets football. Love it.
Christian Pulisic (USA) PUMA x KidSuper Ultra 6 Pulisic
It's only right that Captain America would have his own signature at a USA hosted World Cup. And of course those boots have to be as American as possible. The stars to match the stripes. Don't be surprised to see Pulisic rip up the script this tournament.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) adidas F50 Hyperfast Elite LL
Spain's and adidas' golden boy in the typical laceless F50 we'd expect from him. The sagged shorts, the headband, the boots... his aesthetic is quickly becoming pretty iconic. Just because his 20 minute stint against Cabo Verde wasn't at the usual standard, don't underestimate what this baller could do this summer.
Shahriyah Moghanloo (Iran) Nike Mercurial OG Superfly RGN
I just love it when a player rocks up to a major tournament and chooses something different to wear on foot than the current pack colourways. And it doesn't really get much better than a throwback. This Mercurial Superfly has to go down as one of Nike's most iconic boots ever. So, yeah, of course we want to see it on the big stage.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) Under Armour Shadow Elite 4
UA's main man turns up to another World Cup in the latest colourway of the Shadow Elite, and these ones are certainly bright. Will they lead him to another semi final...?
Marcel Sabitzer (Austria) Nike Mercurial Vapor XVI AM95
One of the cleanest boot drops of 2025 on the feet of Sabitzer. Everyone loves the Mercurial. Everyone loves the AM95. Put them together in an all white colourway with an iridescent finish and you've got a banger. It's a shame he's got them dirty to be honest.
Bukayo Saka (England) New Balance Furon 9 x Stone Island
Bukayo Saka is the perfect fit for a New Balance x Stone Island collab. It just works. I can't say exactly why. It just does. These boots deserved a showcase at the World Cup, and here they are, on the feet of England's starboy.
Ramin Rezaeian (Iran) Nike Mercurial Vapor X
Ramin clearly got the memo on the pink boots at the World Cup, he just got the wrong decade. He decided to spice it up a little with the Mercurial Vapor X, a pure classic from 2014. These boots make me think of some crazy primes. I'm talking CR7, Eden Hazard, Zlatan... Iconic.
Raphina (Brazil) adidas Predator Elite Laced
Brazil weren't quite off to the flying start we would have expected from them, but with this man up top, there's no doubt they'll be a talking point soon enough. Whilst most ballers wear the Predator with the tongue, Raphina keeps things simple with the laced version. Pretty nice if you ask me,.
Virgil Van Djik (Netherlands) Nike Tiempo Ligera
Of course Mr Aura is doing his thing at another tournament. I'm not quite sure how i feel about the pink with the orange... but the Tiempo Ligera is really a thing of beauty.
Tahith Chong (Curaçao) Custom Nike Mercurial Superfly
Another playing breaking the mould of the latest boots that everyone is wearing. In a sea of pink, Chong rocks up to his first World Cup in custom painted Mercurials. The perfect way to show off a bit of personality whilst on the pitch. We could get behind more custom boots to be honest.
Odeh Al Fakhouri (Jordan) Nike Mercurial Vapor Vini Jr
No, that is not Vini Jr in Vini Mercurials. It is another player in Vini Mercurials. The latest colourway of 'Voa Vini' is definitely an eye-catcher, so why not try catch some eyes on football's biggest stage in them. This is also kind of mad to see as the elite versions never retailed, so Al Fakhouri must have his connections...
