After months of hypothesis and numerous rumors, FIFA has formally revealed a part of the id of the mascots for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will probably be hosted collectively by Mexico, the US, and Canada.
In a newly launched video, followers lastly bought their first glimpse of the silhouettes and names of the three characters set to represent the event:
- Zayu: a ahead representing Mexico.
- Clutch: a midfielder embodying the United States.
- Maple: a novel goalkeeper tied to Canada.
Whereas followers nonetheless await the total visible reveal, the announcement generated large buzz throughout social media. Every mascot is designed to mirror the tradition, ardour, and nationwide id of the three host nations, uniting them underneath one historic event.
Waiting for 2026
The 2026 World Cup would be the largest in historical past, increasing to 48 groups and performed throughout 16 cities in North America. Past the record-setting format, the introduction of Zayu, Clutch, and Maple provides a cultural and emotional contact that followers of all ages will join with.
Because the countdown continues, the mascots will tackle a central function in promotions, fan experiences, and merchandising, guaranteeing that the first-ever three-nation World Cup just isn’t solely historic but additionally unforgettable.
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Mascots in World Cup historical past
World Cup mascots have been a part of soccer’s cultural legacy since 1966, when Willie the Lion was launched in England. Since then, every version has had its personal iconic determine, starting from fruit-inspired designs like Naranjito (Spain 1982) to playful creatures like Fuleco the Armadillo (Brazil 2014).
Right here’s the total record of official mascots:
- Willie (England 1966)
- Juanito (Mexico 1970)
- Tip and Faucet (West Germany 1974)
- Gauchito (Argentina 1978)
- Naranjito (Spain 1982)
- Pique (Mexico 1986)
- Ciao (Italy 1990)
- Striker (USA 1994)
- Footix (France 1998)
- Ato, Kaz, and Nik (South Korea/Japan 2002)
- Goleo VI and Pille (Germany 2006)
- Zakumi (South Africa 2010)
- Fuleco (Brazil 2014)
- Zabivaka (Russia 2018)
- La’eeb (Qatar 2022)
- Zayu, Clutch, and Maple (Mexico/USA/Canada 2026)
