Thierry Henry is using his role at On to press for football boots built around the needs of women players, with the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil identified as the first major international stage for the project.
The former France striker, now the brand’s director of football, has questioned why so many players still compete in footwear originally developed for men. “You have women players wearing men’s shoes, and that is not normal,” Henry said.
Brazil 2027 marked as the next landmark
Henry sees the World Cup in Brazil, scheduled for 2027, as a pivotal opportunity to bring the initiative before a global audience. “The 2027 World Cup in Brazil is where we will begin internationally,” he said.
The tournament is expected to provide a platform not only for a growing women’s game but also for a more visible discussion about the equipment used by its players. Henry’s aim is to move beyond adapting existing men’s models and towards boots conceived specifically for women footballers.
Work underway with leading players
At On, Henry is involved in the development of new football boots alongside players including Kylian Mbappé and Sydney Schertenleib. The work forms part of a broader attempt to advance the brand’s football equipment, with women’s-specific design now central to the conversation.
The proposal highlights an unresolved issue across the women’s game: many footballers have had to rely on products whose fit and construction were first intended for male athletes. Brazil 2027 could therefore become a significant showcase for progress in footwear designed for women rather than simply modified for them.
