When I was younger I played soccer, first for my town’s recreational league and then for my high school.

Back then, soccer cleats (a.k.a. football boots) were available almost always in black. Black was what customers demanded and black was what manufacturers provided. It didn’t matter the brand–addidas, Nike, Mitre, Puma, whatever–black was it.

Sometimes there were a few other color options, however. And when I was in high school I bought a pair of cleats that were white. They were in my size and a good price, so that’s what I got.

Wearing them to practice and during games, I got a lot of ribbing from my teammates. That I stood out from all the other players was one of the nicer comments I remember.

It bothered me that I was being noticed not for my ability or my contributions to the team, but instead for my nonconformity. If I was a valuable asset to the team, I didn’t think it should matter what color my cleats were.

Fast forward to 2026 and I’m watching some of the games of this year’s World Cup tournament. And what do I see? Almost all the players are wearing cleats that are not black, but pink!

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 06: Players of United States pose for a team photograph prior to the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 06, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Literally every team seems to accept that pink is the new black. And it appears to be true of more than one brand of shoe.

According to news outlets, this is because players want to stand out. There is a “high demand for bolder colors” because the players claim that it gives them confidence. I initially thought that the pink color was a sign that the players were making some kind of statement in support of women’s health or Pride Month. But no, it is simply because having fancy colored cleats juices their game.

By that logic, my white cleats should have been a benefit both to me personally and to the whole team. If I had an increase in confidence because of my footwear, then our overall gameplay would have improved and it would have been welcomed. But that’s not how I remember it.

What I remember is that I was the odd man out. And if this is how I remember feeling, I can only begin to imagine what it was like for the one Asian-American guy on our team, who took an unnecessary amount of racial verbal abuse. Or a player who maybe was gay but in the closet.

I suppose that if everyone on the team is wearing pink cleats, then it becomes about conformity again and no one stands out. It’s not the color that matters, it’s how you play the game.

Because sports is very much about conformity. To be on The Team, a player has to toe the line, stay in-bounds, not rock the boat (sorry for the cliches). Those who don’t measure up are harassed, bullied, even assaulted.

Being part of a team shouldn’t feel this way. But so often it does.

I don’t play soccer any more.