FIFA officially confirmed Clutch, Zayu, and Maple as the mascots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 yesterday. And today we already know what they look like. The Athletic has exclusively revealed the figures that will represent the global tournament of teams for the next season.
A bald eagle, a jaguar, and a moose have been chosen to represent the three host countries. Each mascot has been designed with the local equipment of their respective team and seeks to reflect national and cultural symbolism:
Clutch (Bald Eagle – United States): Dressed in the blue uniform, the bald eagle has been the national symbol of the country since 1782. The mascot, described as a midfielder, represents curiosity and optimism, and is perceived as a social catalyst that seeks to unite people.
Zayu (Jaguar – Mexico): The jaguar, adorned with the green shirt, is a forward whose name is linked to unity, strength, and joy. The figure refers to the great importance the jaguar had for ancient Mexican civilizations, like the Maya, who linked it to the underworld and considered it a symbol of bravery and strength.
Maple (Moose – Canada): The moose, wearing the red equipment, is a goalkeeper that represents Canada and is inspired by the maple leaf, its national symbol. FIFA’s description presents it as an artist and music enthusiast, with a focus on creativity and resilience.
The 2026 World Cup mascots will be part of the tournament experience, and their jerseys will be marketed. In addition, for the first time, the mascots will be playable characters in a FIFA-licensed video game. Clutch, Zayu, and Maple will star in ‘FIFA Heroes’, a five-on-five arcade-style football title that will be launched next year for major platforms, including consoles and mobile devices. They will also be present in FIFA Super League Soccer on Roblox.
The tournament will begin on June 11, 2026, with the opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, and will end on July 19. The official draw for the World Cup will take place on December 5 in Washington D.C.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
📸 FREDERIC J. BROWN – AFP or licensors
