From 1966 and World Cup Willie, FIFA have insisted that a Mascot be used to represent each country hosting the tournament. Some of them have been quite reasonable; generally the animal ones. In fact I would go so far as to say World Cup Willie is designed almost in the Hannah Barbera style and you can imagine him having his own swinging TV cartoon show, a kind of Austin Powers meets Top Cat. Stryker from USA also looks like he could wander onto the set of Hong Kong Phooey and play a precocious side kick. Footix is ideally suited to have a face off with Foghorn Leghorn. Goleo has clearly relocated to the states and now lives on Sesame Street.
Juanito and Gauchito are probably cousins and Tip and Tap look like Colin & Justin, who do the home decor show on Channel 5.
I don't have a lot of time for Naranjito and Pique as there is something disturbing about the thought of animated food.
Which leads us to the three Aliens from the far east; weird and translucent, they most likely were designed by a Japanese Doctor Who fan. Where to begin with Ciao! The Italian offering is quite simply a seven year olds attempt to make a lego model of Totti.
This years model Zakuni is a rather cool looking green haired leopard with a mischievous smirk; he has a great future chasing Sonic the Hedgehog and Crash Bandicoot.
Wenlock and mandeville; utter utter utter rubbish!