WHAT WOULD WE do without World Cup mascots?
Pitches would become water-logged, balls would be forever deflated and there would be absolutely no way to tell one quadrennial football tournament from the next.
Just as well then, that modern football – nay, civilisation – has brought us loveable, entertaining and only sometimes creepy World Cup mascots since 1966. Just as well, because we can’t think of a single other thing that happened at that tournament.
Here are eight of our favourite efforts.
8. Ato, Kaz and Nik (Japan & South Korean 2002)
Probably the creepiest mascot to make our list, but damn it if the ‘Spheriks’ didn’t perfectly capture the madness of the first Asian World Cup.
7. Fuleco (Brazil 2014)
This lovable three-banded armadillo is new to us, so he has the summer to win his way further into our hearts.
6. Pique (Mexico 1986)
Tell the truth, you didn’t need me to tell you which World Cup this was from. No, the moustachioed sombrero-wearing chilli pepper made every effort to reinforce Mexican stereotypes.
5. Striker (USA 1994)
Good dog.
4. Zakumi (South Africa 2010)
The last World Cup mascot was the first big cat not to be a lion, so the leopard went all out and dyed his hair green.
Bonus points for having Shakira in tow, natch.
3.Goleo VI (Germany 2006)
We’re not quite sure what happened to the previous five Goleos, but in 2006 football fans all over Germany were stalked by this cuddly lion.
He looks much better in the flesh than he does on paper, but are we absolutely sure it’s not a bear?
2. Ciao (Italy 1990)
If ever there was an argument for not over-thinking these things, the organisers of Italia ’90 can present this stickman gem.
1. Footix (France 1998)
Maybe it was a fascination with FIFA-branded computer games in 1998, but France had one cool cockerel.
