Haaland and Wembanyama wearing Nike’s radical new invention

With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, sports brands are entering a final sprint to unveil their most advanced products aimed at enhancing player performance. Alongside the national team kits being revealed, such as those from Adidas, Nike has introduced new tools designed to help its sponsored athletes reach their peak.

Blurring the line between performance on and off the pitch, Nike’s latest innovation, the ‘Mind001’, has quickly become a trend among several of the brand’s footballers. Erling Haaland has been the face of this new product, which promises to deliver measurable benefits. Within the England squad—sponsored by Nike—the shoes have become increasingly common, with players using them to “improve mental sharpness.”

According to Nike, the ‘Mind001’ enhances pre-match preparation through technology that connects sensors in the soles to receptors in the brain. Touted as the Three Lions’ secret weapon heading into the World Cup, the shoes have already drawn comment from England manager Thomas Tuchel.

“I don’t know much about these shoes... I was told the players can concentrate better in meetings if they wear them, and I hope they believe it. Perhaps the most important thing is that they believe it. I’m unaware of the scientific basis,” Tuchel admitted.

Tuchel has ensured that every player in the squad uses them, awaiting feedback while integrating the concept into his broader mental preparation system. This approach, rooted in meditation and breathing techniques, dates back to the early stages of his coaching career in Germany.

Nike presents the ‘Mind001’ as a complete package for athletes, designed to support both pre- and post-match routines and help professionals maintain peak physical and mental condition.