World Cup Mascots.

[Morse]

The Mascot is an important symbol representing professional sports team, school, society, corporation, etc. It is usually represented by animal, person or thing. A mascot can bring in million of dollars in merchandise sales.



Let us all travel back to 1966 England where the first World Cup mascot was invented.

1. England 1966, World Cup Willie
A lion(symbol of United Kingdom) wearing a Union Jack jersey with the words “World Cup”.



2. Mexico 1970, Juanito
A boy wearing Mexico jersey, sombrero with the words “Mexico 70″. Juan is a common Spanish name.



3. West Germany 1974, Tip & Tap
Two boys wearing West Germany jerseys, with the letters WM (Weltmeisterschaft, World Cup) and number 74.



4. Argentina 1978, Gauchito
A boy wearing Argentina jersey, hat with the words “Argentina ‘78″, neckerchieft and a whip(a type of Gauchos).



5. Spain 1982, Naranjito
An orange wearing Spain jersey. Naranja is orange in Spanish.



6. Mexico 1986, Pique
A jalapeno pepper wearing a sombrero and a moustache. Its name comes from picante, Spanish for spicy peppers.

[Morse]

7. Italy 1990, Ciao
A stick figure with its body the colors of Italy and a football head. Its name(pronounced as chow) is an Italian greeting for goodbye and hello(rarely).



8. USA 1994, Striker
A dog wearing the USA jersey.



9. France 1998, Footix
A cockerel, a typical symbol of France wearing a blue jersey with the words “France 98″. It’s name is a portmanteau(word formed by merging the sounds and meanings of 2 different words) of “football” and “Asterix”(from the popular comic strip).



10. Japan/Korea 2002, Ato, Kaz & Nik(The Spheriks)
They are computer generated creatures representing a fictional football-like sport. Ato is the coach while Kaz and Nik are players. This 3 names were selected from shortlists by users on the internet and at McDonald’s outlets in the host countries.



11. Germany 2006, Goleo and its sidekick Pille
A lion wearing Germany jersey with the number 06 and a talking football.



I like Ciao and Footix. They are good images for the tournament. Which mascot do you like ?

[G_Man]

Pique was my favourite

[MrsB]

I hate those bloody mascots.

[Morse]

Pique was my favourite

I bet you have a 'tache like him...

[Morse]

I hate those bloody mascots.

Miserable mare...

[MrsB]

Miserable mare...

Bird, please.

[G_Man]

I bet you have a 'tache like him...

[Mumsafan]

The France one is the only one I could remember

[Maestro]

Does anyone remember the special Kinder Eggs they brought out for Mexico 86?
There were 6 different kinds of Pique! I had the lot!

[Morse]

Does anyone remember the special Kinder Eggs they brought out for Mexico 86?
There were 6 different kinds of Pique! I had the lot!

You were a kid at the time...excusable.

[TheStig]

I like the France one.

[Morse]

I like the France one.

[PTP]

Italia 90 was the best - i can remember him on the advert doin some keep up and scoring a goal. legend