FIFA World Cup mascots - The best and worst mascots from previous World Cups

Mascots are now commonplace for any major international sports event, as they represent a specific feature of the country hosting the event.

The FIFA World Cups saw mascots introduced in 1966, and they have been a feature of the competition ever since.

Here is a look at all the mascots that featured in the competition’s history over the decades, including the one that will be used next year in Brazil.

World Cup Willie (1966, England)

The first-ever mascot in the history of FIFA World Cups, World Cup Willie was a cartoon lion wearing Britain’s Union Jack and kicking a football.

Willie was drawn by Reg Hoye, who also illustrated a few of Enid Blyton’s children’s books. When asked to design a mascot, he made Willie based on his son Leo, with the design eventually getting chosen as the final mascot.

Willie proved to be lucky for the Three Lions, as they won their only World Cup on home turf, while the tradition of having a mascot representing a specific event kicked off, never to look back.

Juanito (1970, Mexico)

Mexico followed in the tradition that England had set in 1970 by designing their own mascot, but tried something a little different, as Juanito, as he was called, was not a lion but a young boy.

Juanito wore Mexico’s green colors and a sombrero while standing in football attire, and became a symbol of innocence and fair play for the World Cup which was the first that was broadcasted around the world in colour.