Fifa unveils mascots’ names for the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Fifa announced on Wednesday afternoon the names of the mascots for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The highest authority in football created three characters: Maple, Zayu, and Clutch, each representing a host country of the competition.

Images of each mascot were not released, only the names and a brief description. The first is Maple, a Canadian goalkeeper. The word “Maple” in Canada refers to the maple tree, a national symbol and its famous red leaf that appears on the country's flag.

Next is Zayu, who would be a Mexican forward. The name comes from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztec people. It means “young,” and the silhouette present in Fifa's promotional video suggests that the character will have feline traits.

Finally, Clutch is presented as a midfielder, number 10, and American. From the launch video, he will be a bird, predominantly blue in color. In English, “Clutch” can mean someone decisive in crucial moments.

Tradition

The tradition of mascots began in the 1966 World Cup in England, with the lion Willie. Since then, each World Cup has featured different characters, created according to the characteristics of the host country.

Fifa has not announced a date for the full image release of the characters. The draw for the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for December 5, in Washington D.C., United States.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.