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New Delhi: FIFA has officially unveiled the mascots for next year’s World Cup as three countries co-host the tournament for the first time. The three mascots include a bald eagle named Clutch representing the United States, a jaguar called Zayu representing Mexico and a moose dubbed Maple for Canada. The mascots have been revealed less than nine months ahead of the tournament which is set to kick off on June 11, 2026.
The 2026 edition will be historic not just for its tri-nation hosting but also for its mascots as they reflect the unique wildlife and culture of each host country. The jaguar, Zayu, stands for power and agility; the bald eagle, Clutch, symbolises strength and independence while the moose, Maple, represents the Canadian wilderness and tenacity. Together, the three represent the spirit of football in North America.
FIFA has a long history of designing iconic mascots for its competitions. Over the years, the mascots have consistently been essential in creating anticipation ahead of the competition. In 1994, the U.S. World Cup featured a dog named Striker, whose name was chosen from over 25,000 entries during a fan-driven campaign. Since then mascots have become an integral part of World Cup celebrations being present in stadiums, added on merchandise and used for promotional activities worldwide.
Over the years, fans have cheered for characters like Willie the lion in England 1966, Naranjito the orange in Spain 1982, Footix the cockerel in France 1998 and in last edition La’eeb in Qatar 2022. Each mascot is designed to capture the culture, enthusiasm and fun of the World Cup while also engaging younger fans.
As anticipation grows around the tournament for the first tri-nation World Cup, Clutch, Zayu and Maple are set to become the symbols this time. Their introduction not only adds fun to the competition but also highlights the diversity and culture of the host nations.
