On September 25, 2025, FIFA officially unveiled the three mascots for the 2026 World Cup: Maple, Zayu, and Clutch — each representing one of the host nations (Canada, Mexico, and the United States, respectively). This marks the first time in World Cup history that a tournament will have three distinct mascots, reflecting the tripartite nature of this edition.
Let’s take a closer look at each character.
Maple the Moose (Canada)
- Species / Persona: Maple is an anthropomorphic moose, combining strength and approachability.
- Role on the pitch: He is cast as a goalkeeper.
- Character & symbolism:
- Maple embraces creativity, resilience, and individuality — aligning with Canada’s diverse and artistic culture.
- His design pays homage to Canada’s iconic wildlife and the maple leaf (which gives him his name).
- Off the field, he’s described as a “street-style artist and music lover.”
Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico)
- Species / Persona: Zayu is an anthropomorphic jaguar, a powerful and agile character.
- Role on the pitch: He is positioned as a striker.
- Character & symbolism:
- The name “Zayu” is said to evoke unity, strength, and joy — themes tied closely to Mexican cultural identity.
- Zayu is rooted in Mexico’s natural heritage (jungles, biodiversity) and connection to pre-Hispanic symbolism, where jaguars held deep importance for ancient civilizations.
- He is also named the captain of the mascot crew, underscoring his role of leadership among the trio.
Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA)
- Species / Persona: Clutch is a bald eagle — a widely recognized national symbol of the United States.
- Role on the pitch: He plays as a midfielder.
- Character & symbolism:
- Clutch is described as having an “unquenchable thirst for adventure,” curious, bold, and optimistic — someone who leads by action.
- His character design aims to reflect the spirit of diversity, unity, and celebrating what it means to be American in a plural society.
- On the marketing side, Clutch (and the other mascots) will help bridge the fan experience across all three host countries.
Why This Trio Matters
1. Unity in Diversity
Because 2026 will be the first World Cup ever to be co-hosted by three nations, having three distinct mascots allows each host to have its own emblem while still forming a unified “team” of mascots. Their coming together symbolizes the collaboration behind the tournament.
2. Cultural Representation & Local Pride
Each mascot draws on national symbols (wildlife, histories, aesthetics) to resonate with local fans and global audiences alike. They reflect not just animals, but stories, identities, and emotions tied to each country.
3. Digital & Fan Engagement
FIFA is going all-in on immersive experiences:
- The mascots will appear in FIFA Heroes, a new arcade-style five-a-side video game, under the FIFAe umbrella.
- They’ll also feature in Roblox’s “FIFA Super League Soccer” activations.
- Of course, they’ll be everywhere in merchandising: shirts, toys, stadium activations, fan zones.
- In the words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino: “I can already picture them on children’s shirts, high-fiving football legends … starring in video games played by millions worldwide.”
