"When Skechers came into football, a lot of people raised an eyebrow" — Anthony Elanga's words, and he's not wrong. When the brand signed its first professional footballers back in 2023, the reaction ranged from confused to dismissive. Now Kane and Elanga are heading to a World Cup in them.
The two have joined Turkey's Baris Alper Yilmaz as the faces of Skechers' new Sunset Pack, a boot collection built around the visual identity of Los Angeles — one of the 2026 World Cup host cities and the home of Skechers' global headquarters. Two boots, one collection: the Razor 2 Elite and the SKX_2 Elite, both dressed in a gradient of orange, pink, and deep purple that mirrors a California evening sky.
What Kane and Elanga are actually wearing
Kane takes the SKX_2 Elite into his third World Cup. He's been wearing the boot in matches already, which matters — this isn't a marketing deal where the athlete quietly laces up something else on matchday. "At a tournament as big as the World Cup, you need to know that you are going into it feeling good with a boot that you can trust," he said. That's not puff. Kane has worn these in competitive football. The proof will come in the group stages.
Elanga gets the Razor 2 for his first senior World Cup appearance with Sweden. He's been on the Razor from the beginning and says the update is a step forward. For a wide player who relies on acceleration and agility down the flank, boot fit and ground feel genuinely matter — comfort isn't a soft selling point, it's a performance variable.
The campaign itself — called the "Skechers Motel" — leans into Americana nostalgia, with a hero film featuring the pack stars alongside Ghana's Mohammed Kudus and veterans Jamie Redknapp, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Lebouef. It's a deliberate mix of current names and recognisable faces, designed to build credibility fast.
Why this is actually a bigger story than it looks
Kane is England's captain and, heading into 2026, one of the favourites for the Golden Boot. He'll also be chasing the Ballon d'Or — something no England player has ever won — and England are looking to end 60 years of hurt. Every touch, every finish, every piece of kit he wears will be scrutinised across a billion eyeballs. Skechers has never had that kind of stage before.
Elanga's defiance is the sharper quote though: "To those who underestimated them? The pitch doesn't lie."
