Every World Cup has its own mascot and neither Brazil 2014 is an exception.
According to the survey of World Cup organizing committee, in September 2012 the population of Brazil voted for “Fuleco” to be the official mascot of World Cup.
“Fuleco” is a Brazilian three-banded armadillo which inhabits in eastern part of Brazil and is endangered species. One of the Brazilian Nature Conservancies offered World Cup organizing committee to choose “Fuleco” as a mascot.
The name “Fuleco” was chosen over the names “Amijubi” and “Zuzeco”. Finally, “Fuleco” received 48 per cent of the votes. It is a portmanteau of the Portuguese football (Futebol) and ecology (Ecologia). “Zuzeco” (blue and ecology) took the second place with 31 per cent. “Amijubi” (friendship and joy) was the third with 21 per cent.
Unlike all other armadillos, only three-banded armadillo can roll into a ball and does it in case of danger. That is why the Spaniards call it “Bolita”.
Lasha Tabagari, special correspondent of www.worldsport.ge from Rio de Janeiro
Photos by the author