FIFA surprised fans with a preview of the mascots that will animate the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Through a mysterious video shared on social media, the world’s top soccer governing body revealed the names of the three characters that will animate the tournament, each of which will represent a position on the field and one of the host countries.
Amid shadows and quick shots, it’s clear that “Maple” will represent Canada, “Zayu” Mexico, and “Clutch” the United States.
The Canadian “ambassador” takes the goalkeeper position, according to the clip, while the Mexican is the forward and the American is the midfielder.
Though it’s still unclear whether these animators will represent animals, theories based on what little can be seen in the video have already begun, suggesting they are anthropomorphic beings—humanoid but inspired by a species, based on key elements visible in the silhouettes.
Maple appears to be a lion, and its name is likely based on the maple tree, Canada’s most well-known tree.
Zayu has a feline tail that could belong to a jaguar, an iconic species in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times.
Finally, Clutch has a bird’s tail and may be a bald eagle, the country’s emblem and a symbol of freedom in the United States.
A day earlier, due to previous clues, it was revealed that each character will wear a color tied to their country’s flag: the Canadian in red, the Mexican in green, and the American in blue.
The full identity of the mascots may be revealed before December 5, as that day will host the draw to determine the groups for the participating teams, which would be the perfect occasion for the official introduction of these animators.
Image: Opinion
