2026 FIFA World Cup Mascots: Meet Maple, Zayu and Clutch (Official Guide)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings something special to soccer fans around the world. For the first time in tournament history, three official mascots will represent three host countries.
Canada introduces Maple the Moose. Mexico presents Zayu the Jaguar. The United States showcases Clutch the Bald Eagle.
FIFA announced these three mascots on September 25, 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This guide tells you everything you need to know about these colorful characters.
Why Three Mascots? A World Cup First
Past World Cups featured one mascot. The 2026 tournament changes this tradition. Three countries will host the event together. Each nation gets its own mascot.
This marks the biggest World Cup ever. The tournament expands to 48 teams instead of the usual 32. Sixteen cities across North America will host matches. The three mascots symbolize unity and shared passion for soccer.
FIFA wanted each host country to feel represented. The mascots celebrate diversity while bringing fans together.
Meet Maple the Moose: Canada’s Guardian
Maple stands tall as Canada’s official mascot. This friendly moose wears a bright red goalkeeper uniform with the number 1 on the back.
The name “Maple” comes from Canada’s most famous symbol. The maple leaf appears on the Canadian flag. It represents the natural beauty found throughout the country.
Maple loves street art and music. This creative goalkeeper travels across all Canadian provinces and territories. He connects with people everywhere and embraces different cultures.
On the soccer field, Maple guards the goal. His large antlers help him make legendary saves. Off the field, he promotes Canadian values of creativity and resilience.
Maple wears the number 1 jersey. This honors Canadian goalkeepers from past World Cups. Canada has the highest moose population in the world. The choice of this animal makes perfect sense for representing the country.
Meet Zayu the Jaguar: Mexico’s Pride
Zayu prowls onto the field as Mexico’s mascot. This powerful jaguar wears Mexico’s traditional green jersey with number 9.
The name “Zayu” draws inspiration from unity, strength and joy. Ancient Mexican civilizations respected the jaguar. They saw it as a symbol of power and agility.
Zayu comes from the jungles of southern Mexico. He embraces Mexican culture through dance, food and traditions. This mascot connects people across borders with passion and pride.
On the field, Zayu plays as a striker. His exceptional speed and agility help him score goals. He represents the heart of Mexican soccer.
Zayu wears something special that sets him apart. He is the only mascot with a captain’s armband. This shows his leadership role among the three mascots.
Mexican fans already love Zayu. Social media lit up with positive reactions when FIFA revealed his design. The stocky and smiling jaguar captures the vibrant spirit of Mexico.
Meet Clutch the Bald Eagle: USA’s Champion
Clutch soars high as the United States mascot. This bald eagle wears a blue midfielder uniform with the iconic number 10.
The bald eagle serves as America’s national bird. It represents courage and freedom. The name “Clutch” comes from sports language. Athletes who perform well under pressure get called clutch players.
Clutch has an adventurous spirit. He flies across the United States and embraces every culture with curiosity. This midfielder brings boundless optimism to the team.
On the soccer field, Clutch plays in the middle. He unites his teammates and lifts their spirits. Great midfielders connect the team. They turn challenges into opportunities to rise higher.
The number 10 jersey has special meaning in soccer. American stars like Christian Pulisic and Landon Donovan wore this number in past World Cups. Clutch continues this proud tradition.
His fearless attitude on the field matches his uplifting personality off the field. Clutch leads by action and rallies everyone around him.
How Fans Can Experience the Mascots
Video Game Debut
Maple, Zayu and Clutch will appear in FIFA Heroes. This marks the first time World Cup mascots become playable video game characters.
The game launches in 2026 on multiple platforms. Players can find it on Android phones, iOS devices, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox systems. Each mascot will have unique abilities in the game.
Official Merchandise
FIFA already sells mascot merchandise online. Fans can buy items at the official FIFA store.
Available products include team jerseys with mascot designs. T-shirts feature all three characters. Plush toys let kids bring the mascots home. Collectible figures appeal to serious fans. Caps and hoodies work well for everyday wear.
Live Appearances
The mascots will visit all host cities during the tournament. They appear at stadium events before and during matches. Fan festivals throughout North America will feature the mascots.
Families can meet Maple, Zayu and Clutch at special events. Photo opportunities let fans capture memories with these characters.
What FIFA Says
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shared his thoughts about the mascots. He said they convey joy, excitement and togetherness. These qualities define the FIFA World Cup experience.
Infantino believes the mascots will win hearts worldwide. He can already picture them on children’s shirts. The mascots will high-fiv soccer legends. They will star in video games that millions of people play.
Quick Facts You Should Know
- Announcement Date: September 25, 2025
- Tournament Starts: June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
- Final Match: July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- Total Teams: 48 countries compete (the largest World Cup ever)
- Host Cities: 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States
- Total Matches: 104 matches over 39 days
- Special Feature: Zayu is the first World Cup mascot to wear a captain’s armband
- Mascot Positions: Maple guards the goal (No. 1), Zayu attacks as striker (No. 9), Clutch controls the midfield (No. 10)
The Mascots Unite Three Nations
These three mascots bring different personalities to the World Cup. Maple shows creativity and artistic flair. Zayu displays cultural pride and passion. Clutch demonstrates leadership and optimism.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup makes history with this triple mascot debut. Each character reflects the values and culture of its home country. Together they represent the unity that soccer creates.
Fans around the world can now connect with the tournament through these mascots. The characters appear in stores, video games and live events. They give the World Cup a face that everyone can recognize and love.
The tournament begins in less than two years. Maple, Zayu and Clutch will help build excitement as the opening match approaches. These mascots remind us that soccer belongs to everyone. The beautiful game unites three nations and brings joy to billions of fans worldwide.
