Only weeks away from the 2022 World Cup, there are a number of details that you might still be unaware of. One of those is the mascot of the tournament, which was released on April 1 during the launch event of the competition.
The mascot this year is La’eeb, a white, smiling, football-playing turban which signifies the Qatari culture. The ball with which he was featured is not the same as the Al Rihla (‘the journey’) ball that will be used during the tournament.
2022 World Cup – Details you might have missed
“La’eeb comes from the metaverse of mascots, a parallel universe that cannot be described in words and everyone can imagine it as they wish. La’eeb encourages everyone to believe in themselves,” FIFA said at its launch in April.
The goal of the mascot is to appeal to all audiences of all ages, as confirmed by FIFA themselves.
The official songs of the competition include ‘Hayya Hayya’, released in April, which means better together. “By bringing together voices from the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, this song symbolises how music – and football – can unite the world,” FIFA’s chief commercial officer Kay Madati said.
The 2022 World Cup will begin on November 20, with host country Qatar taking on Ecuador.