FIFA unveiled the official mascots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup today, with the three mascots embodying the cultural symbols of the tournament's host countries. Maple the Moose (representing Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (representing Mexico), and Clutch the Bald Eagle (representing the United States) have been carefully developed to reflect the vibrant culture, heritage and spirit of their respective countries, collectively symbolizing unity, diversity, and a shared passion for the beautiful game of football.
Clutch is modeled after the bald eagle and wears the blue away jersey of the U.S. national team. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been featured as a core element on the Great Seal of the United States, and its iconic status is deeply entrenched. In 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a congressional bill, officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.
Maple, modeled after the moose, represents Canada and wears the red home jersey of the Canadian national team. The mascot is designed to draw inspiration from Canada's national symbol – the maple leaf, highlighting the country's distinctive features.
Zayu, modeled after the jaguar, represents Mexico and wears the green home jersey of the Mexican national team. In Mexico's ancient civilizations (such as the Maya civilization), the jaguar was endowed with profound symbolic meaning: people at that time associated it with the "underworld" and regarded it as the embodiment of strength and courage.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “Maple, Zayu, and Clutch are filled with joy, vitality, and the spirit of unity – just like the World Cup itself. I can already imagine them appearing on kids' jerseys, high-fiving football legends, and as another innovation of this tournament, becoming the protagonists in a game played by millions of players around the world.”
These mascots will not only bring a joyful atmosphere to the tournament but also become part of FIFA's commercial products. Mascot-themed commemorative T-shirts will be sold through FIFA's platforms, and the mascots will also be featured as characters in FIFA Heroes, the new FIFA-licensed game set to launch next year.
The draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the United States on December 5th. The tournament will kick off on June 11th and conclude on July 19th.
