Kangaroo-Leather Soccer Cleats Disappear from World Cup
Event summary
- Only one of the 1,248 World Cup players (Junnosuke Suzuki of Japan) planned to wear kangaroo-skin cleats in 2026.
- All major athletic shoe manufacturers have committed to ending kangaroo-skin use since the 2020 campaign launch.
- Adidas, ASICS, and Umbro stopped sourcing kangaroo skins in 2025-26; Mizuno's transition is ongoing but slow.
- The shift marks a six-year corporate animal-welfare victory, reducing commercial kangaroo killings by millions.
The big picture
The disappearance of kangaroo-leather cleats from the World Cup reflects a broader global movement toward humane economic practices, driven by consumer demand for ethical innovation. This shift aligns with growing regulatory and investor scrutiny over animal welfare in supply chains, signaling potential risks for industries slow to adapt.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether Mizuno can accelerate its transition away from kangaroo leather to meet consumer expectations.
- Market Dynamics
- How the absence of kangaroo-leather cleats will impact performance perceptions among elite athletes.
- Regulatory Headwinds
- The pace at which other industries may face similar pressure to eliminate animal-derived materials.