FIFA Unveils Maple, Zayu and Clutch as Official World Cup 26 Mascots

The Big Picture

FIFA announced three official mascots for the 2026 World Cup. According to release, Maple the Moose is Canada’s mascot, Zayu the Jaguar is Mexico’s, and Clutch the Bald Eagle is the United States’. The characters are meant to show off national identities while also encouraging people to get together and become involved with the tournament, which will have 48 teams.

What’s New

The governing body said the mascots will be woven into licensing and fan experiences throughout the build-up and tournament. They will be playable in “FIFA Heroes,” a new arcade-style title under the FIFAe umbrella set to launch next year, and will feature in quests on Roblox’s FIFA Super League Soccer. Branded shirts and other items will be available through the official store.

What They’re Saying

Context

Mascots have become a standard part of major tournament branding, serving as a bridge to younger fans and a driver of licensed products. For World Cup 26, FIFA is extending that strategy into gaming, emphasizing accessibility across platforms as organizers prepare for the first edition hosted by three nations.

What’s Next

As the tournament gets closer, the three are likely to show up at fan events, commercial campaigns, and presentations on match days. FIFA said that appearances in games and in stores will continue to grow until 2026, along with local organizers’ continued preparations for venues and operations.

The Bottom Line

With Maple, Zayu and Clutch, tournament organizers are leaning on character-driven storytelling to showcase host-nation identities and keep younger audiences engaged from the road to kickoff through the final whistle.

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