The build-up to the first-ever FIFA World Cup™ co-hosted by three nations has gained fresh momentum with the unveiling of a lively trio of mascots — Maple™ the Moose (Canada), Zayu™ the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch™ the Bald Eagle (United States).

FIFA announced the mascots on Wednesday, describing them as symbols of unity, diversity, and the shared spirit of football that will define the expanded 48-team tournament scheduled for 11 June to 19 July 2026.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the characters will play a central role in creating the festive atmosphere of the tournament.

“The 26 team has just got bigger – and more fun! Maple, Zayu and Clutch are full of joy, energy and the spirit of togetherness, just like the FIFA World Cup itself,” Infantino said. “They’ll win hearts and spark celebrations across North America and around the world. I can already picture them on children’s shirts, high-fiving football legends and starring in video games.”

For the first time in FIFA competition history, official mascots will also feature as playable characters in the upcoming digital football game FIFA Heroes, an arcade-style, fantasy-driven five-a-side title set for release in 2026 across mobile, console, and PC platforms. The mascots will also appear in FIFA Super League Soccer on Roblox, giving younger fans opportunities to engage with them virtually through themed quests and rewards.

Each mascot has been crafted to reflect the heritage and culture of its host nation:

• Maple the Moose embodies Canada’s creativity and resilience, with a flair for art, music, and legendary goalkeeping.
• Zayu the Jaguar draws from Mexico’s southern jungles, symbolising agility, ingenuity, and the nation’s rich traditions.
• Clutch the Bald Eagle represents the United States with fearless energy, optimism, and a midfield leader’s spirit.

Beyond the digital sphere, fans will encounter Maple, Zayu, and Clutch at matches, fan zones, and community events, as well as on official merchandise available through FIFAStore.com.

The trio’s unveiling is part of FIFA’s broader push to blend football with culture, gaming, and entertainment as the countdown to the biggest World Cup in history continues.

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Bafana Bafana fans will be grinning from ear to ear after Zimbabwe’s dream of taking their “home” clash to Botswana went up in smoke.

“Warriors Stumble Into Bafana’s Backyard”, they seem to be feeling.

The Warriors had been plotting to host South Africa in Francistown on 10 October, but the Botswana Football Association (BFA) slammed the brakes on the idea.

 With Botswana scheduled to face Uganda at the same venue a day earlier, FIFA rules made it a non-starter — no back-to-back matches, no excuses.

For Zimbabwe, it’s another embarrassing stumble off the pitch to go with their struggles on it. For South Africa, it’s a bonus: the “away” game will now most likely be staged right here on home turf.

Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg and Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium are suddenly in the frame, both tried-and-tested homes for Zimbabwe when their own facilities have failed to make the cut.

Weekend whispers had Durban as ZIFA’s preferred venue, but South Africans aren’t complaining whichever way it goes. Why travel to Botswana when Bafana can enjoy familiar grounds, bigger crowds, and the roar of home support in their so-called “away” fixture?

ZIFA have been left fuming, accusing the BFA of jumping the gun with their announcement. But in truth, the Warriors don’t have much to shout about. Their World Cup campaign is already over — four points from eight games, rock bottom of Group C, and not a single win in sight.

By contrast, Bafana are cruising. Hugo Broos has turned his men into table-toppers with 17 points, just one step away from punching their ticket to the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona has tried to rally the troops with fighting talk about “playing for pride.” But with their campaign dead and buried, the Warriors are reduced to playing spoilers in South Africa’s coronation march.

For Bafana fans, the irony is sweet: the neighbours wanted Botswana, but in the end, they’ll be forced to host us in our own backyard. Advantage Bafana.

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With the World Cup already set to expand to 48 teams next summer, FIFA is considering an even bigger expansion to 64 countries for the 100th anniversary of the global spectacle in 2030.

With the idea receiving mixed reviews, FIFA leaders met with the heads of state from Uruguay and Paraguay in New York, as well as leaders from South America’s CONMEBOL and the head of Argentina’s football association.

“We want to call for unity, creativity, and believing big,” CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said in a social media post. “Because when football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global.”

The Uruguayan Football Association first presented the 64-team plan in March, according to the New York Times. The first World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930. Among the primary concerns is that an expanded World Cup would require 128 matches, further straining the sport’s busy global calendar.

If the 64-team plan is approved, the World Cup would then be expected to return to 48 teams in 2034.

The first 48-team World Cup will take place primarily in the United States in 2026, with Mexico and Canada playing host to select games. The last time the tournament was in the United States was in 1994 when it was a 24-team gathering.

The field expanded to 32 teams in 1998 and has remained that way through the past seven tournaments, through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that was won by Argentina.

The 2030 World Cup not only could have its most number of teams ever, it is already set to be played on three continents and in six different countries.

Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina each will play host to one game at the start of the tournament. The majority of 2030 games then will be split among Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

FIFA has not yet made a decision about expanding the 2030 event to 64 teams.

“As we get closer to the date, we must reiterate that this cannot be just another event, it cannot be just another World Cup,” Dominguez said. “We believe this is a once-in-a-century opportunity.”

-Reuters

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