The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts on June 11, will feature three official mascots: Clutch, a bald eagle representing the United States; Zayu, a jaguar symbolizing Mexico; and Maple, a moose representing Canada.
The trio reflects the culture, history and national identity of the three co-host countries. Maple draws inspiration from the maple leaf, Canada’s most recognizable national symbol and the centerpiece of the flag. Clutch is based on the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, while Zayu the jaguar pays tribute to Mexico’s rich indigenous heritage and the animal’s significance in the ancient Mayan civilization.
Each mascot has been designed with a distinct personality and, in a World Cup first, has also been given a digital identity. The mascots are linked to social media culture through customized emoji-inspired expressions and online personas, aimed at appealing to younger audiences on digital platforms.
Full list of past World Cup mascots:
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a lion Willie (England 1966)
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a boy Juanito (Mexico 1970)
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two boys Tip and Tap (West Germany 1974)
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a boy Gauchito (Argentina 1978)
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an orange Naranjito (Spain 1982)
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jalapeño pepper Pique (Mexico 1986)
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a stick figure Ciao (Italy 1990)
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a cock Footix (France 1998)
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futuristic creatures Ato, Kaz and Nik (Japan and South Korea 2002)
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a lion Goleo VI and a football Pille (Germany 2006)
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The tenth leopard (South Africa 2010)
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an armadillo Fuleco (Brazil 2014)
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a wolf Zabivaka (Russia 2018)
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a floating keffiyeh La’eb (Qatar 2022)
Published on June 8, 2026
