Just before the draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18), which takes place this Friday April 1 from Doha, the country’s capital, FIFA unveiled the competition’s official mascot.
His nickname? La’eeb. “La’eeb is an Arabic word meaning ‘very talented player’,” says one of FIFA’s official accounts, @Roadto2022en, dedicated to the 2022 World Cup.
Welcome, La’eeb!
La’eeb is an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player. The official Mascot of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ is full of energy and will bring the joy of football to everyone. La’eeb believes that ‘Now is All’, and encourages everyone to believe in themselves. pic.twitter.com/KEfxo3G5Qo
— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) April 1, 2022
This little character, reminiscent of the phantom Casper with his twirling airs, “is full of energy and will bring the joy of football to everyone. He encourages everyone to believe in themselves,” says FIFA.
The mascot represents a Keffiyeh, traditional Arab headdress, held by the ritual ring: the agal. The inscription “Qatar 2022” is also on La’eeb.