2022 Qatar World Cup Spooks Spectators With Its New Floating Mascot
Video screenshot via Qatar 2022
Boo! Qatar and FIFA have snuck up on fans with the unveiling of the official World Cup 2022 mascot.
Meet La’eeb, a floating figure who is “full of energy” and has a “youthful spirit.” La’eeb is a he/him; his pronouns have been made clear. But “what exactly is he?” you may ask. FIFA says La’eeb can be anything your imagination deems him to be.
Evidently, La’eeb takes on the appearance of a keffiyeh (or a ghutrah in Arabic), a headdress that protects its wearer from sand, dust, and the sun’s harsh rays in arid regions. At the top is what is known as an agal, a black cord that keeps the scarf in place.
La'eeb - the official mascot of the FIFA World Cup #Qatar2022pic.twitter.com/X6eq9vamO1
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) April 1, 2022
Given the character’s shapeless form and his floating abilities, though, many are hard-pressed to believe he’s not a ghost or manta ray.
According to FIFA, his name means “super-skilled player.” He hails from a parallel universe that Qatar and FIFA coin the “mascot-verse”—an equally mysterious land that “everyone is invited to interpret.” What’s certain is that the “mascot-verse” has existed since the beginning of time and is built on human ideas.
“La’eeb will be known for his youthful spirit; spreading joy and confidence everywhere he goes,” describes FIFA. “La’eeb comes from a parallel world where tournament mascots live. It is a world where ideas and creativity form the basis of characters that live in the minds of everyone.”
“La’eeb can be a figment of your imagination,” it adds. “He is whoever a football fan wants him to be.” So here’s what the audience thinks:
Qatar got Casper the ghost as their mascot I don't believe this
— Maxwell (@maqwelll) April 1, 2022
The Ghost of Saddam Hussein is the Official Mascot of FIFA World Cup 2022 pic.twitter.com/79jvuhAwAj
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) April 2, 2022
Is it a manta ray? Is it Mohd Casper?
— Nazrudin Rahman (@NazrudinRahman) April 2, 2022
Say hello to La'eeb', a most skillful ball-playing… thing.#Qatar #WorldCup2022 #mascot pic.twitter.com/YAZRNBWAuZ
Insane level of creativity from FIFA, just gave Casper an Arabian look in the name of mascot.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/fVhAhySF7D
— Cypher (@ynwa__97) April 2, 2022
No, this is not part of April fools day, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official mascot is... A BLANKET#WorldCupDraw #Qatar2022 #WorldCup
— SportzStew â“‹ (@sportzstewcom) April 1, 2022
pic.twitter.com/a3d0rZvY7V
[via Sporting News and FIFA, video and images via Qatar 2022]
