The knockout stages are well and truly under way in this year’s World Cup, with the quarter finalists already announced and glory for the winners edging ever closer. Amid the heroes, villains, controversy, dramatic goals, stunning skills and agonising penalty shootouts, the World Cup has provided some memorable mascots. Here are eight that sure leave an impression. Which ones strike you most? Would you buy any of them?
1966 England: World Cup Willie – The first of the World Cup mascots, and a solid entry. Funky hair too.
1974 Germany: Tip and Tap – What they lack in fashion and hair points, they make up for in all-round cheeriness.
1982 Spain: Naranjito – So big he could take your ball off you and you wouldn’t complain, but looks the type that he’d happily stay in goal and keep running for the ball.
1986 Mexico: Pique – Unmistakably Mexican, our Latino friend has a vibrant sombrero which would provide great shade or act as an umbrella.
1990 Italy: Ciao – My favourite of them all. Brilliantly original, featuring the colours from the Italian flag and looking more than useful with a football.
1994 USA : Striker – Not the cutest dog I’ve ever seen, but the idea is along the right lines. And certainly better than any of the Soccer Dog movies.
France 1998: Footix – Trendy and modern, this is certainly one of the better efforts.
Brazil 2014: Fuleco – It’s not everyday you see an animated amardillo, so that gets a point for this current entry.
Alex Raphael 
Hmmm, didn’t you just forget the greatest mascot of them all? *wink*
Well Benelucky did have striking hair 😉
I would not buy any of them 😀
You should see the ones that didn’t make the list ha. I might do a post for club mascots and see how the standard varies.
You can’t beat World Cup Willie, the original and best
He certainly gets your roar of approval 😉
I can’t unsee the Annoying Orange now for the Spanish one.
I like France, England and the current one 🙂
The Brazil one has that kind of superhero vibe doesn’t it?
A lot of effort must’ve gone into that France ’98 mascot. Ahem.
Adam.
It is memorable and striking though. The worst of all of them would have to be the Argentina one. It’s just a boy in an Argentina top haha http://www.bekasiurbancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mascot-gauchito.jpg
Haha, brilliant! Minimal effort = maximum laughter. Looks like he’s been lifted directly from a poor quality Beano rip-off or something!
The ball is in the colour of Argentina. I think that’s the only original thing about it ha. I used to love the Beano. I was such a Roger the Dodger fan.
Ah yes, me too! Haven’t read in it years.
The France one looks a lot like a KU Jayhawk….very cool post
I had to look that up. The 1929 version looks so mad haha.
Great posting and interesting. When does this netball competition start?
Netball?
or whatever… tiddly-winks? Marbles?
I don’t follow the soccer except I know we’re out lol.
First round without even winning a game. Oh well. Next time I guess.
Yeah that’s kind of pathetic, lol.
They’re all pretty cute! My favourite is definitely the lion, he’s so cute. Also I think I had a pair of roller blades back in the day with the USA dog on them. That’s how you know you’re a true child of the 90s!
Ha. A tamogochi and knowing the Fresh Prince of Bel Air lyrics would be up there too haha.
Yep, feeding my tamagotchi whilst rolling around on my blades singing the Fresh Prince theme is the epitome of the 90s!
You’re right!
The Italian one is the best!
I even have a t-shirt of it 🙂
aww I love Pique ❤ 1986 Mexico
Totally ha
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