Sole Watch: Up Close with the Custom Cleats of the World Cup

words // Brandon Richard

images // Getty

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is off to an exciting start, highlighted by Team USA's win over Ghana on Monday. At least if you're an American.

For the world's biggest sporting event, footwear brands are making a splash by lacing up their respective star soccer athletes in top-of-the-line, eye-catching cleats. Nike's ultra-bright Magista, adidas' graphic driven 'Battle Pack' and PUMA's mismatched evoSpeed are just a few of the styles that have left their mark on this year's tournament.

Scroll through a gallery of cleat close-ups from the early days of the group stage below.

Clint Dempsey -- Nike Hypervenom

Kyle Beckerman -- Nike Tiempo Legend V

Jermaine Jones -- Nike CTR 360 Maestri III

Neymar -- Nike Hypervenom

Hulk -- Mizuno Morelia Neo MD

Oscar -- adidas Predator Instinct

Victor -- adidas NitroCharge

Mexico

Mexico -- PUMA evoSpeed 1.2

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Ecuador

Ecuador

Ecuador

Germany -- adidas F50 adizero

Portugal

Belgium

Brazil

Uruguay

Switzerland