| Fuleco | |
|---|---|
 Official artwork | |
| First appearance | 2014 FIFA World Cup |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Brazilian three-banded armadillo |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
Fuleco (Portuguese:[fuˈlɛku]) was theofficial mascot of the2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted inBrazil. Fuleco is aBrazilian three-banded armadillo, a species ofarmadillo which is native to Brazil and categorized as avulnerable species on theIUCN Red List. Fuleco was officially launched as part of Brazilian broadcasterTV Globo's weeklyFantástico entertainment show on 25 November 2012.
His name is aportmanteau of thePortuguese wordsfutebol ("football") andecologia ("ecology"). The mascot, with his message of environmental concerns, ecology and sport, turned out to be very popular with football teams around the world.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Fuleco's birthday coincides withNew Year's Day.[5] He is aBrazilian three-banded armadillo, which is anendangered species, and plays a major part in the environmental drive.
Over 90% of Brazilians believe Brazil 2014 should beenvironmentally friendly.[1] The name Fuleco was chosen over the names Amijubi (Amizade – "Friendship" andJúbilo – "Joy") and Zuzeco (Azul – "Blue" andEcologia – "Ecology") by more than 1.7 million football fans. Fuleco won with 48% of the vote.[7]
The final mascot design was chosen afterFIFA and the Local Organizing Committee had analyzed 47 different proposals created by six different Brazilian agencies. The designs were further analyzed through extensive research carried out amongst its primary target audience, Brazilian children between the ages of five and twelve, with the favourite being the armadillo, created by 100%Design.[2] Fuleco is seen as a cheerful and appealing personality.
Independent research carried out on behalf of FIFA stated that 89% of Brazilians questioned said they had seen the mascot, and it gained favourable scores as a likeable character.[1]
Environmental group the Caatinga Association, an organization whose campaigning helped FIFA choose the armadillo as its mascot, claimed that FIFA has not given any money to support the endangered species.[8] FIFA acknowledged that it does not have any connection with organisations attempting to help the species despite expecting to make profits from selling merchandise based on their mascot.[8]
| Preceded by | FIFA World Cup mascot Fuleco FIFA 2014 | Succeeded by |
2014 FIFA World Cup finalists | |
|---|---|
| Champions | |
| Runners-up | |
| Third place | |
| Fourth place | |
| Quarter-finals | |
| Round of 16 | |
| Group stage | |
