Brazilians are too sensitive when it comes to soccer or anything related to it, that is why when Brazilian FA and FIFA twined together to choose a name for Armadillo Mascot and asked Brazilians to select a name from three given options, it was treated as a forced democratic way to seek the fans’ opinions. Whether anyone liked it or not, Brazilian FA and FIFA offered three names to fans to choose from; the names were: Fuleco, Zuzeco, and Amijubi, and as per majority of votes, Fuleco has been chosen as the name of Armadillo Mascot for 2014 world cup. Fuleco received 48% of total votes casted by Brazilians; other names got 31% and 21% respectively. There was another poll being run by various news channels, which say majority of Brazilian were not in liking of any of these three names, perhaps, they wanted to be given an opportunity to offer their own names. But according to FIFA, the word: Fuleco “seamlessly represents the way in which the FIFA World Cup can combine the two to encourage people to behave in an environmentally friendly way.”
Moreover, other words and their meanings were also joyful, like Amijubi makes up from two dictionary words “amizade” (friendship) and “jubilo” (joy), while Zuzeco originates from two words: “azul” (blue) and “ecologia” (ecology). Further, FIFA also defended its decision to offer its own chosen names for the voting, coz as it said, the names were chosen by a high profile committee of eminent soccer personalities, including Bebeto along with other national celebrities and politicians. Adding further, its selection committee ruled out any feasibility in asking fans for a name coz that name needs to be satisfying several legal requirements including trademark violations.
Later, FIFA issued a statement and said, “This clearly shows that Brazilians already recognize the significance of the armadillo as an important ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and his role in inspiring fans all over the world with his passion for the sport and his country.”
Looking into last two world cups, mascot of 2010 world cup held in South Africa was a leopard called Zakumi. In 2006, world cup was held in Germany and mascot then was a lion called Goleo. Next world cup’s mascot will be painted with Brazilian national flag’s colors, i.e., yellow, green, and blue and wear a white shirt bearing ‘Brazil 2014’ on it.