The 2026 World Cup will be a memorable event, as the first of its kind with the expansion to 48 participants, who will descend upon North America across the summer.
To be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament is building excitement across the globe.
Every World Cup features a mascot, which can help elevate anticipation and excitement. The mascot, or mascots, are often representative of the host nation, and their appearance and name is a source of national pride.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of the 2026 mascots and how they will represent the three co-hosts for the upcoming competition, as well as a look back at some of the mascots through World Cup history.
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What is the World Cup 2026 mascot?
With there being three World Cup hosts for the 2026 tournament, there are three mascots, one representing each host nation.
The mascot for the United States is Clutch the Bald Eagle; for Canada, it’s Maple the Moose; and representing Mexico is Zayu the Jaguar.
Clutch the Bald Eagle
The mascot representing the United States for the 2026 World Cup is Clutch the Bald Eagle.
According to FIFA, Clutch is a midfielder — one who “possesses an unquenchable thirst for adventure, soaring across the United States and embracing every culture, game and moment with boundless curiosity and optimism.”
Naming a U.S. sporting mascot Clutch may feel a little on the nose, but FIFA insists he “leads by action”, so perhaps he really well inspire the co-hosts to success.
Maple the Moose
Canada’s World Cup mascot is Maple the Moose.
According to FIFA, he is a goalkeeper who “was born to roam, journeying across all of Canada’s provinces and territories while connecting with people and embracing the country’s rich culture”, which presumably makes him more of a sweeper-keeper.
Maple — named, you may have guessed, for the syrup synonymous with Canada — is “a street style-loving artist”, who “combines endless stories and unstoppable flair”, which does at least chime a little with Canada having arguably their most talented and creative roster in history.
Zayu the Jaguar
Mexico’s World Cup mascot is a Jaguar named Zayu.
The origin of the name is unclear. There are various suggestions that it is an approximation of indigenous Mexican languages, although FIFA has not specified beyond saying the name is “inspired by unity, strength and joy.”
It has, however, confirmed that Zayu is a striker, who “embodies the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of the country” and is “a symbol of cultural celebration and connection.”
List of official World Cup mascots
The first FIFA World Cup to have a mascot was the 1966 edition in England, which was won by the hosts.
| Year | Host | Mascot(s) name | Description |
| 1966 | England | Willie | Lion wearing a Union flag with the words “World Cup” designed by Reg Hoye. |
| 1970 | Mexico | Juanito | A boy wearing Mexico’s kit, a sombrero, and the words “Mexico 70” on the front. |
| 1974 | West Germany | Tip & Tap | Two boys wearing Germany kits, with the letters WM and the number 74. WM stood for “Weltmeisterschaft”, which is German for “World Cup”. |
| 1978 | Argentina | Gauchito | A boy wearing the Argentina kit, and a hat that reads “Argentina ’78”. |
| 1982 | Spain | Naranjito | A soccer-playing orange, holding a ball and wearing the Spain national-team kit. |
| 1986 | Mexico | Pique | A moustache-sporting jalapeno pepper with a sombrero. |
| 1990 | Italy | Ciao | A stick-figure soccer player with a football head and no face, designed using the Italian tricolor. |
| 1994 | United States | Striker | A soccer-playing dog wearing a red, white, and blue soccer kit with the words “USA 94” written on it. |
| 1998 | France | Footix | A cockerel, the national symbol of the French national team, with a blue body, red head, and the national-team shirt, which reads “France 98”. |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Ato, Kaz, & Nik | Orange, purple, and blue creatures supposedly members of a futuristic “Atmosball” team. The names were chosen by internet users and at McDonald’s locations. |
| 2006 | Germany | Goleo VI & Pille | A lion Goleo VI wearing a Germany shirt with the number 06, with a talking football Pille. |
| 2010 | South Africa | Zakumi | A leopard with green hair and a shirt saying “South Africa 2010”. |
| 2014 | Brazil | Fuleco | A three-banded armadillo wearing a white t-shirt with “Brasil 2014” on the front. He has green shorts and a blue carapace. |
| 2018 | Russia | Zabivaka | A wolf wearing red shorts and a blue & white t-shirt with “Russia 2018” on the front. |
| 2022 | Qatar | La’eeb | A white floating ghutrah, which is a traditional headdress worn by some Middle Eastern men. It wears a headband, and has eyes and a mouth. |
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | Clutch, Maple, Zayu | Clutch is an eagle wearing a blue jersey, Maple is a moose wearing a red jersey, and Zayu is a jaguar wearing a green jersey. They have positions, with Clutch a midfielder, Maple a goalkeeper, and Zayu a striker. |
