2026 World Cup: Cactus Mascot Logo for Mexico Leaks, Fans Outraged

The Mexican status logo for the 2026 World Cup is suspected to have leaked (Twitter)

JAKARTA - Over the past week, images of the 2026 World Cup have started circulating on social media of the alleged mascot designed for the tournament.

The United States will co-host the tournament with the majority of places in Canada and Mexico. This is the first time three different countries have co-hosted the World Cup in the history of football.

We all know this info and have known it for a long time, but this mascot raises certain concerns about how the world perceives Mexico.

Hey @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom , if guys need an artist to design your mascot for the US-Mexico-Canada 2026 World Cup, it’s been my dream to do this since I was a little chubby Mexican kid watching Maradona at the 86 cup in Mexico City. I promise to make you proud!!! #United2026 pic.twitter.com/d8tCB7pDVi

— Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) June 14, 2018

Dating back to 1986, the mascot for the Mexico World Cup was a hot pepper with a Mexican sombrero named Pique. At present, the representation of the Mexican seems quite far from the real Mexico.

We are talking about one of the most multicultural countries with great diversity. You can easily find Caucasians as easily as you can find people who are descended from the African continent.

Thinking this sombrero stereotype is too narrow to describe a country like Mexico these days. So, is the Mexican stereotype back because of this cactus?

The problem here is that in the image circulating, there's a moose representing Canada, Uncle Sam representing the United States, and a cactus with a sombrero representing Mexico.

Although cacti are very common in the country, the sombrero portrays a false image of what Mexico really is. Fortunately, Marca reports, this mascot image is fake.

The mascots of this grand event were not revealed to the public before the previous World Cup started. They were introduced about a year before the event took place.

That is, the mascot in circulation is nothing more than the work of an unknown designer who wants to create a thought-provoking image against Mexico.

Leaked logo and mascot designs for the 2026 World Cup...are they really serious with that mascot for Mexico 🇲🇽 ? 🤦🏽

What do you think of the #USMNT #CANMNT #ElTri looks? pic.twitter.com/a5QZrUU4qg

— CABRA FC 🐐 (@cabrafutbol) October 21, 2022