I LOVE SOCCER: THE MASCOTS OF THE FIFA WORLD CUPS SINCE 1966

One of the things that I really enjoy the most about the FIFA World Cups are THE MASCOTS. Throughout the years the Official Mascots have changed a lot ; some of them were really simple but nice , others were just amazing (like Zakumi) . Here you have a list of Mascots besides some important facts about each FIFA World Cup edition . Mascots have been fruits, animals , monsters. creatures and so forth.
ENJOY THEM!!!!

ENGLAND 1966

The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England was chosen as hosts by FIFA in August 1960 to celebrate the centenary of the standardisation of football in England. England won the final, beating West Germany 4–2, giving them their first (and only) World Cup win, and becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934. The mascot was Willi.

MEXICO 1970

The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. Mexico was chosen as the host nation by FIFA in October 1964. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by Brazil, who beat Italy 4–1. The Mascot was Juanito.

GERMANY 1974

The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. West Germany had been chosen in July 1966 as hosts by FIFA. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded. The mascots were TIP AND TAP.

ARGENTINA 1978

The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. Argentina was chosen as hosts by FIFA in July 1966. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. The mascot was Mundialito.

SPAIN 1982

The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July, 1982. Spain was chosen as hosts by FIFA in July 1966. The tournament was won by Italy, after beating West Germany 3–1 in the final. The Mascot was NARANJITO.

MEXICO 1986

The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. It was won by Argentina (their second title after 1978), led by Diego Maradona who scored the infamous “Hand of God goal”, and also a goal voted as “Goal of the Century”, in the same quarter-final against England. The Mascot was PIQUE.

ITALY 1990

The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated continents entered the competition, with its qualification process beginning in April 1988. The mascot was CIAO.

U.S.A. 1994

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in the United States from June 17 to July 17 1994. The United States was chosen as hosts by FIFA on July 4, 1988. Brazil became the first nation to win four World Cup titles when they beat Italy 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time, the first World Cup final to be decided on penalties. The mascot was STRIKER.

FRANCE 1998

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 1 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. France won their first title, becoming the seventh nation to win a World Cup. The mascot was FOOTIX.

JAPAN 2002

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. The two countries were chosen as hosts by FIFA in May 1996; it was the first tournament in World Cup history to be hosted by two countries. The mascot were Kaz, Ato y Nik.

GERMANY 2006

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. The mascot was Goleo a Lion.

SOUTH AFRICA 2010

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international association football tournament. It is being held in South Africa, beginning on 11 June and scheduled to conclude on 11 July 2010. The mascot was ZAKUMI.