Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Football: Brazil's World Cup mascot named 'Fuleco'

November 26, 2012 10:04 IST

FIFA has named the mascot for the 2014 Brazil World Cup Fuleco, a word which organisers say transmits a message of environmental awareness.

Almost half of the more than 1.7 million people who voted in an online poll chose Fuleco ahead of Zuzeco and Amijubi.

The mascot is a three-banded armadillo, which is an endangered species in Brazil.

Brazil WC mascot FulecoThe tradition of a World Cup mascot dates back to 1966, when a lion named 'World Cup Willie' was chosen for the tournament in England.

Since then, the mascots have ranged from two German boys 'Tip and Tap' in 1974, to 'Pique' the chili pepper in Mexico in 1986, and 'Zakumi' the leopard, who represented the tournament in South Africa in 2010.

The yellow and blue armadillo was chosen in September and huge inflatable versions were set up in Brazil's 12 host cities. However, authorities were forced to take them down or increase security in at least three cities after vandals attacked them.

Fuleco is expected to make an appearance in Sao Paulo this week at the draw for the 2013 Confederations Cup. The draw for the World Cup warm-up competition takes place next Saturday.

The naming of the mascot came on the same day that FIFA unveiled the posters to be used to publicise the tournament. Each of the 12 host cities has its own poster.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.