FIFA unveils Armadillo as mascot of 2014 World Cup

The three-banded armadillo is the official mascot of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. It will be named Amijubi, Fuleco or Zuzeco after a public vote.

The three-banded armadillo, which is indigenous to Brazil, doesn’t have a name yet, because Brazilians will select it by public and FIFA will reveal the winning moniker in the middle of this November.

The final mascot design was chosen by FIFA and World Cup organisers after a review of 47 different proposals created by six different Brazilian agencies. Brazilian children aged 5 to 12 were also surveyed for their opinions, with the favourite being the armadillo, created by 100% Design.

The governing body s secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, said the choice of the endangered armadillo was "very fitting", as one of the tournament s main aims was to raise awareness about the environment and ecology.

The Brazilian population will now have the chance to give the Official Mascot a name by taking part in a public voting campaign which will run up until the middle of November.

The three options, which were decided upon after a vote by a high-profile judging committee including Bebeto, Arlindo Cruz, Thalita Rebouças, Roberto Duailibi and Fernanda Santos, are Amijubi a representation of friendliness and joy and two names which link to the ecological message, Fuleco and Zuzeco.

It’s early for the armadillo, but it’s safe to say he’ll have long way to go to live up to Wenlock and Mandeville, the odd but lovable Cyclops mascots from the London 2012 Olympics.

FIFA also recently announced that the World Cup ball, supplied by Adidas, will be called 'Brazuca’, which is an informal word often used to describe national pride in Brazil.Brazil are hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1950, with the tournament scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 13 2014.