Mascots have long been a central part of the FIFA World Cup’s identity and marketing, helping give each tournament its own unique personality and cultural flavor.
Ever since the debut of World Cup Willie—a lion dressed in a Union Jack kit—at the 1966 tournament in England, mascots have become iconic symbols of their host nations. From France’s cartoon cockerel Footix in 1998 to South Africa’s energetic leopard Zakumi in 2010, each mascot has been designed to reflect the culture, character, wildlife or spirit of the country staging the tournament, while also appealing to younger fans around the world.
