List of FIFA World Cup official mascots

{{Short description|None}} The '''FIFA World Cup official mascots''' are a series of characters representing each FIFA World Cup event. The trend began with Willie in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, one of the first mascots to be associated with a major sporting competition. The mascot designs represent a characteristic or symbol of the host country, such as flora, fauna, or costume.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |last=Kasprzak |first=Emma |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18430665 |title=World Cup Willie's sporting mascot legacy |work=BBC News |date=15 June 2012 |access-date=4 July 2012 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109150119/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18430665 |url-status=live }}</ref> The design is frequently one or more anthropomorphic characters targeted at children and coinciding with cartoon shows and merchandise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FIFA World Cup official mascots|url=https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/the-fifa-world-cuptm-mascots-517089|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731052422/https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/the-fifa-world-cuptm-mascots-517089|archive-date=31 July 2020|access-date=3 June 2020|website=FIFA|language=en}}</ref> The FIFA Women's World Cup events have had official mascots since the 1991 event in China.

== Men's World Cup == {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Event !Host country !Mascot name !Description ! {{abbr|Refs.|References}} |- |align=center| 1966 |England |'''Willie''' |An anthropomorphic lion, a typical symbol of the United Kingdom, wearing a Union Jack jersey with the words "WORLD CUP". Designed by freelance children's book illustrator Reg Hoye. |<ref name="bbc" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=World Cup Mascots in history |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/world-cup-mascots-in-history |website=fifa.com}}</ref> |- |align=center| 1970 |Mexico |'''Juanito''' |A boy wearing Mexico's kit and a sombrero (with the words "MEXICO 70"). His name is the diminutive of "Juan", a common name in Spanish. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1974 |West Germany |'''Tip and Tap''' |Two boys wearing Germany's kits, with the letters WM (''Weltmeisterschaft'', World Cup) and number 74. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1978 |Argentina |'''Gauchito''' |A boy wearing Argentina's kit. His hat (with the words ARGENTINA '78), neckerchief and whip are typical of gauchos. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1982 |Spain |'''Naranjito''' |An anthropomorphic orange, a typical fruit in Spain, wearing the kit of the host's national team. Its name comes from ''naranja'', Spanish for orange, and the diminutive suffix "-ito". |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1986 |Mexico |'''Pique''' |An anthropomorphic jalapeño pepper, characteristic of Mexican cuisine, with a moustache and wearing a sombrero. Its name comes from ''picante'', Spanish for spicy peppers and sauces. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1990 |Italy |'''Ciao''' |A stick figure player with a football head and an Italian tricolore body. Its name is an Italian greeting. It is the only World Cup mascot without a face. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1994 |United States |'''Striker''' |An anthropomorphic dog, a common U.S. pet animal, wearing a red, white, and blue soccer uniform with the words "USA 94". |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 1998 |France |'''Footix''' |An anthropomorphic cockerel, which is one of the national symbols of France. He has the words "FRANCE 98" on his chest, and his body is mostly blue with a red head and tail, like the host's national team shirt. The mascot for the 2019 Women's World Cup, also hosted by France, is a young female chicken named "Ettie", portrayed as the daughter of Footix. |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=12 May 2018 |title=ettie revealed as Official Mascot for FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/ettie-revealed-official-mascot-france-2019 |publisher=FIFA.com}}</ref> |- |align=center| 2002 |South Korea Japan |'''Ato, Kaz and Nik''' |Orange, purple, and blue (respectively) futuristic, computer-generated creatures. Collectively members of a team of "Atmosball" (a fictional football-like sport), Ato is the coach while Kaz and Nik are players. The three individual names were selected from shortlists by users on the Internet and at McDonald's outlets in the host countries. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 2006 |Germany |'''Goleo VI and Pille''' |An anthropomorphic lion wearing a Germany shirt with the number 06 with a talking football named Pille. Goleo is a portmanteau of the words "goal" and "Leo", the Latin word for lion. In Germany, "Pille" is a colloquial term for a football. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 2010 |South Africa |'''Zakumi''' |An anthropomorphic leopard, a common animal found in South Africa, with green hair wearing a shirt saying South Africa 2010. Zakumi's green and gold colors represent South African national sports' team's colors. His name comes from "ZA", for South Africa, and "Kumi", a word that means "ten" in various African languages. |<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-09-23 |title=Briefs {{!}} Leopard named Zakumi is 2010 World Cup mascot |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/briefs-leopard-named-zakumi-is-2010-world-cup-mascot/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412232837/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/briefs-leopard-named-zakumi-is-2010-world-cup-mascot/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align=center| 2014 |Brazil |'''Fuleco''' |An anthropomorphic Brazilian three-banded armadillo wearing a white T-shirt reading "Brasil 2014" and green Bermuda shorts. He has a blue carapace which is patterned after a traditional football. The selection of Fuleco brings attention to the country's great biodiversity, as the Brazilian three-banded armadillo is endemic to Brazil and is classified as a vulnerable species. The name ''Fuleco'' is a portmanteau of the words "''fu''tebo''l''" ("football") and "''eco''logia" ("ecology"). |<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Marissa |date=7 July 2014 |title=Environmental conservationists call FIFA out for misusing its 'Fuleco' armadillo mascot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/07/07/environmental-conservationists-call-fifa-out-for-misusing-its-fuleco-armadillo-mascot/ |accessdate=10 July 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> |- |align=center| 2018 |Russia |'''Zabivaka''' |An anthropomorphic wolf with a name that translates from Russian as ''The Goalscorer''. Zabivaka wears red shorts and a blue and white T-shirt emblazoned with the words "Russia 2018". The color combination is that of the Russian team, with the mascot being selected via internet voting. |<ref name=":0" /> |- |align=center| 2022 |Qatar |'''La'eeb''' | A white floating anthropomorphic ghutrah with eyes, eyebrows and an open mouth. Its name is La’eeb, which is an Arabic word meaning "super-skilled player". |<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=ANI |date=2022-04-02 |title=La'eeb unveiled as official mascot for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 |url=https://theprint.in/sport/laeeb-unveiled-as-official-mascot-for-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022/899099/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Khosla |first=Varuni |date=2022-12-09 |title=Indian company Fractal Picture behind Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 mascot La'eeb |url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/news/indian-company-fractal-picture-behind-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-mascot-laeeb-11670573506472.html |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513184206/https://www.livemint.com/sports/news/indian-company-fractal-picture-behind-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-mascot-laeeb-11670573506472.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align=center| 2026 |Canada Mexico United States |'''Maple, Zayu and Clutch''' |Maple, an anthropomorphic Canadian moose, appears in red and represents creativity and resilience. He is a goalkeeper and draws inspiration from the maple leaf, Canada's national symbol. Zayu, an anthropomorphic Mexican jaguar, wears the traditional green and acts as a forward. Inspired by the importance of the animal to ancient civilizations, it symbolizes strength, agility, and cultural pride. Clutch, an anthropomorphic American bald eagle, wears the blue uniform of the American team and symbolizes courage, leadership, and unity, acting as a midfielder. |<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pizhol |first1=Pavlo |title=FIFA reveals first teasers of World Cup 2026 mascots |url=https://tribuna.com/en/blogs/fifa-reveals-first-teasers-of-world-cup-2026-mascots/ |website=Tribuna.com |access-date=24 September 2025 |date=24 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crafton |first=Adam |date=25 September 2025 |title=World Cup 2026 mascots for U.S., Canada and Mexico revealed: Clutch, Zayu and Maple |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6659262/2025/09/25/world-cup-2026-mascots/ |access-date=25 September 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |}

==Women's World Cup== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Event !Host country !Mascot name !Description !{{abbr|Refs.|References}} |- |align=center| 1991 |China |'''Ling Ling''' |A bird-like mascot of an unspecified species. |<ref>{{Cite news |last=FIFA.com |date=2015-03-29 |title=67 days to go |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=67-days-to-go-2580057.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331165652/http://www.fifa.com//womensworldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=67-days-to-go-2580057.html |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |access-date=2018-05-13 |work=FIFA.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Timeline">{{Cite news |title=Timeline: Women's World Cup |url=http://www.transformmagazine.net/articles/2015/timeline-womens-world-cup/ |access-date=2018-05-13 |work=Transform magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=2021-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627192018/https://www.transformmagazine.net/articles/2015/timeline-womens-world-cup/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align=center| 1995 |Sweden |'''Fiffi''' |A Viking girl. |<ref name="abc">{{Cite news |date=2023-08-03 |title=What does a sporting mascot say about a country? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/mascots-fifa-womens-world-cup-tazuni/102646534 |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> |- |align=center| 1999 |United States |'''Nutmeg''' |An anthropomorphic red fox. |<ref name="abc" /> |- |align=center| 2003 |United States |''(none)'' |There was no mascot because of the tournament's sudden moving from China to the US, amidst the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. |<ref name="Timeline" /> |- |align=center| 2007 |China |'''Hua Mulan''' |A girl based on the Chinese tale of Hua Mulan (from whom she is descended). |<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Cup 2010: Top 10 World Cup Mascots {{!}} Goal.com |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/12/27/1710848/world-cup-2010-top-10-world-cup-mascots |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714074106/https://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/12/27/1710848/world-cup-2010-top-10-world-cup-mascots |archive-date=2012-07-14 |access-date=2018-05-13 |website=www.goal.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |align=center| 2011 |Germany |'''Karla Kick''' |An anthropomorphic cat. |<ref>{{Cite news |last=FIFA.com |date=2010-08-13 |title=Official mascot - Karla Kick |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2010/m=8/news=official-mascot-karla-kick-1283572.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513225443/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2010/m=8/news=official-mascot-karla-kick-1283572.html |archive-date=May 13, 2018 |access-date=2018-05-13 |work=FIFA.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |align=center| 2015 |Canada |'''Shuéme''' |An anthropomorphic snowy owl; her name derives from {{lang|fr|chouette}}, French for "owl". |<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-17 |title=Shuéme the great white owl unveiled as FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada mascot |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/shueme-the-great-white-owl-unveiled-as-fifa-womens-world-cup-canada-mascot |access-date=2018-05-13 |work=Vancouver Sun |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628170526/https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/shueme-the-great-white-owl-unveiled-as-fifa-womens-world-cup-canada-mascot |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align=center| 2019 |France |'''Ettie''' |An anthropomorphic chicken; she is the daughter of Footix, the 1998 World Cup mascot. |<ref name=":1" /> |- |align=center| 2023 |Australia New Zealand |'''Tazuni''' |An anthropomorphic little penguin; her name is a portmanteau of the Tasman Sea and 'Unity'. |<ref>{{cite web |date=19 October 2022 |title=2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Mascot Unveiled |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/tazuni-2023-womens-world-cup-official-mascot |access-date=19 October 2022 |website=FIFA.com |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420235011/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/tazuni-2023-womens-world-cup-official-mascot |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align=center| 2027 |Brazil |TBA |TBA | |}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/e/mascot.html Information on Goleo VI and Pille] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080910172649/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/mascot/index.html Official FIFA web page on Zakumi]

Category:FIFA World Cup mascots Category:Association football mascots World Cup