FIFA has introduced three mascots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic first for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The characters—Clutch the bald eagle representing the U.S., Zayu the jaguar for Mexico, and Maple the moose for Canada—were unveiled in a news release on Thursday, less than nine months before the June 11 opener at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. This expanded 48-team, 104-match event, spanning 16 cities across the three nations from June 11 to July 19, emphasises unity and diversity through its symbolic trio.

Each mascot embodies its host nation's spirit while forming a cohesive soccer team on the pitch. Clutch, the U.S. midfielder wearing jersey No. 10, is depicted as a fearless adventurer with an "unquenchable thirst for exploration", soaring across the country to unite fans through passion and play.

Zayu, Mexico's striker in the iconic No. 9 green kit, draws from the jaguar's ancient cultural significance in southern jungles, celebrating Mexican heritage via dance, food, and traditions that bridge borders.

Maple, Canada's goalkeeper at No. 1, is a creative free spirit and artist who roams provinces, channelling resilience and individuality to make legendary saves and foster connections amid the nation's multicultural fabric. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed them as "full of joy, energy, and the spirit of togetherness, just like the FIFA World Cup itself."

The multi-mascot approach reflects the tournament's groundbreaking format, the first three-nation collaboration in World Cup history. Unlike the single mascot for the 1994 U.S.-hosted event—a golden retriever named Striker, selected from over 25,000 public entries at a star-studded Hollywood unveiling—these characters will feature in promotional campaigns, merchandise, and a new FIFA mobile game called "FIFA Heroes".

They continue a quirky tradition dating back to 1966, when England's World Cup Willie, a lion in a Union Jack jersey, debuted as the inaugural mascot. Subsequent icons include Mexico's boy Juanito (1970), Spain's orange Naranjito (1982), France's cockerel Footix (1998), South Africa's leopard Zakumi (2010), Brazil's armadillo Fuleco (2014), Russia's wolf Zabivaka (2018), and Qatar's floating keffiyeh La'eeb (2022), each capturing the host's essence amid evolving global audiences.

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As preparations intensify, the mascots aim to engage younger fans and promote cross-cultural harmony, potentially softening geopolitical edges in North American soccer. With venues like Toronto's BMO Field and Vancouver's BC Place hosting matches, Clutch, Zayu, and Maple promise to amplify the excitement for what FIFA dubs a "game-changing tournament", blending athletic prowess with festive whimsy.

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