At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, several major sportswear brands—including Adidas, Nike, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers—unveiled new lines of cleats in a striking pink color. The coordinated release was not a fashion trend but part of a global anti-bullying initiative, according to verified reports from the time.
Adidas called its design 'Solar Turbulence' and donated proceeds to anti-bullying charities. Nike's 'Phantom GT' and Puma's 'Future Z' also featured pink accents, with each brand pledging support to organizations fighting bullying in sports. The campaign aimed to raise awareness and funds, leveraging the World Cup's massive audience.
The pink cleats were worn by players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during matches, sparking widespread media coverage. However, the article's claim about Argentina facing Switzerland for a semifinal spot against England is incorrect; the 2022 World Cup semifinals featured Argentina vs. Croatia and France vs. Morocco, with Argentina eventually winning the tournament.
As of July 2026, no major World Cup is ongoing—the next men's tournament is in 2026—so the original article's framing is outdated. The pink cleat campaign remains a notable example of sports marketing for social causes.
