FIFA has officially presented the trio of mascots that will headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition of the global showpiece to be co-hosted by three nations.
Unveiled on Thursday, the mascots include Maple the Moose representing Canada, Zayu the Jaguar from Mexico, and Clutch the Bald Eagle symbolising the United States.
In its announcement, FIFA described the mascots as a reflection of the identity and spirit of the host countries, “In a celebration as bold and boundary-breaking as the tournament itself, FIFA today (Thursday) unveiled the three Official FIFA World Cup 26 Mascots, each highlighting one of the host nations of the world’s greatest sporting event.
Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch the Bald Eagle (United States) have been thoughtfully developed to reflect the vibrant culture, heritage and spirit of their respective countries, coming together to symbolise unity, diversity and the shared passion for the beautiful game.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the unveiling, stressing the mascots’ role in creating excitement, “The 26 team has just got bigger and more fun! Maple, Zayu and Clutch are full of joy, energy and the spirit of togetherness, just like the FIFA World Cup itself.
“The three mascots are central to the incredible, entertaining atmosphere we’re creating for this game-changing tournament.
“They’ll win hearts and spark celebrations across North America and around the world. I can already picture them on children’s shirts, high-fiving football legends and, in another first for this tournament, starring in video games played by millions worldwide.”
For the first time in tournament history, mascots will feature in a video game. FIFA confirmed that Maple, Zayu and Clutch will be playable characters in FIFA Heroes, a new FIFA-licensed title set to launch next year.
The game will fall under the FIFAe umbrella, an initiative designed to expand access to digital football experiences across multiple platforms.
