Miami (USA) (EFE).- FIFA presented this Thursday the official mascots of the 2026 World Cup, organized by Canada, the United States and Mexico, which represent a moose, an eagle and a jaguar, symbolic animals of these three countries.
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“Maple, the Canadian moose; Zayu, the Mexican jaguar, and Clutch, the American eagle, were created to bring to life the cultural richness, legacy and spirit of each host country, and to transmit a message of union, diversity and passion for the world’s most popular sport,” FIFA said in a statement.
The international football regulatory body presented the three mascots in a short video published on its social media, in which it indicated that each of these animals occupies a different position on the field.
Maple, dressed in the red colors of Canada, wears the characteristic goalkeeper gloves, and stands out “for his creativity, resilience and genuine individualism”, according to FIFA.
While Zayu, who embodies “the valuable heritage and dynamism” of Mexico, serves as a forward, a position from which he “intimidates defenders with his exceptional agility and speed”.
Finally, Clutch is a midfielder who “leads by example, lifting his team’s spirits with energy and determination” and “has an overwhelming personality and loves sports.”
Mascots, a symbolic element of the 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted in the statement that the three animals “transmit joy, excitement and that spirit of unity that defines the FIFA World Cup” and will be an “essential element of the festive atmosphere” that will surround the tournament, which will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
«I can already imagine them on the children’s shirts, high-fiving the football legends and, for the first time, as protagonists of video games that millions of people will enjoy», Infantino pointed out, since the three animals will be in a FIFA video game that will be released next year.
The group stage draw for the World Cup, in which 48 national teams will participate for the first time, will take place on December 5th in Washington. Argentina comes to the tournament as the reigning champion after the title won in Qatar in 2022.
