FIFA has confirmed Clutch, Zayu, and Maple as the mascots for the 2026 men's World Cup, with a bald eagle, a jaguar, and a moose representing the three co-hosting nations: The United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA teased the three mascots in a video posted to social media on Wednesday but The Athletic has obtained an exclusive first image of the mascots. FIFA, after being approached by The Athletic with the leaked image, subsequently provided a narrative story behind each character.
Clutch, is dressed in the U.S men's national team's blue away kit. The bald eagle is recognizable for its place at the center of the Great Seal since 1782. An act of Congress, signed by President Joe Biden in 2024, made the bald eagle the official national bird.
Maple the Moose represents Canada and is dressed in the country's red home kit. The mascot also draws inspiration from Canada’s maple leaf, which is the country’s national symbol.
Zayu the jaguar represents Mexico and is dressed in the nation's green home strip. Ancient civilizations of Mexico, such as the Maya, bestowed huge significance upon the jaguar, linking it to the underworld and symbolizing strength and bravery.
Each mascot also has its own narrative designed by FIFA and is given both a playing position on the soccer field and a backstory.
The U.S. mascot Clutch is a midfielder with "an unquenchable thirst for adventure, soaring across the United States and embracing every culture, game and moment with boundless curiosity and optimism."
"Fearless on the pitch and uplifting off it, Clutch leads by action — rallying teammates, lifting spirits and turning every challenge into an opportunity to rise higher. A social spark and sports fanatic, Clutch, like all great midfielders, unites people wherever they go, proving that true flight is about purpose, passion and play."
Canadian mascot Maple the Moose is a goalkeeper who FIFA says was “born to roam, journeying across all of Canada’s provinces and territories while connecting with people and embracing the country’s rich culture.”
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FIFA's description continues: "A street style-loving artist, music enthusiast and dedicated goalkeeper, Maple found purpose through creativity, resilience and unapologetic individuality. With a knack for making legendary saves and a heart full of strength and leadership, Maple combines endless stories and unstoppable flair."
Zayu the Jaguar is a striker from the jungles of southern Mexico. FIFA says his name is inspired by "unity, strength and joy … and demonstrates exceptional ingenuity and agility that intimidates defenders."
"Off the pitch, Zayu embraces Mexican culture through dance, food and tradition, uniting people across borders with passion. More than an athlete, Zayu is a symbol of cultural celebration and connection, carrying the heart of Mexico with pride."
The FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "Maple, Zayu and Clutch are full of joy, energy and the spirit of togetherness, just like the FIFA World Cup itself. I can already picture them on children’s shirts, high-fiving football legends and — in another first for this tournament — starring in video games played by millions worldwide."
The mascots will not only provide a feel-good factor to the tournament but also form part of FIFA’s commercial offering. Mascot shirts will go on sale via FIFA platforms and they will also be playable characters in a new FIFA-licensed game, FIFA Heroes, which will launch next year. FIFA describes the game as an “arcade-style, fast-paced five-a-side football title”, which will feature "World Cup mascots past and present, football's biggest icons and favourite fictional characters from popular TV shows and films." The game will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch, while the mascots will also feature in FIFA Super League Soccer on Roblox.
The 2026 World Cup draw will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on December 5, with the tournament starting on June 11 and finishing on July 19.
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