By Chris Wright
This one does exactly what is says on the tin, so without further ado, let’s get stuck in, shall we?
The official 1966 World Cup mascot, World Cup Willie (as portrayed by a Mr George Claydon), seen here posing outside the FA headquarters in London
Bulgarian goalkeeper George Naidenov proudly shows off his side’s unofficial 1966 World Cup mascot, a wooden toucan
A Sheffield Wednesday employee sticks up a poster advertising the various World Cup games to be played at Hillsborough
World Cup Willie helps Germany striker Uwe Seeler hand out chocolate bars at an orphanage in Derbyshire, 1966
Final design for the official 1970 Mexico World Cup mascot, Juanito
The official mascots for the 1974 World Cup, Tip and Tap, prepare to kick off on the centre spot at Munich’s Olympiastadion
Tip and Tap, in poster form
Gauchito, the official mascot for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina – a small boy in traditional Argentine gaucho hat and neckerchief, and holding a horse whip
England’s World Cup mascot for Spain ’82 – Bulldog Bobby
Bulldog Bobby, in his less flattering foam rubber form
While Naranjito (below) later became the official mascot of Spain ’82, FIFA used the altogether more generic ‘Sport Billy’ on their posters in the build-up to the tournament
Naranjito: Great mascot, crap suit
Sandy, the mascot who accompanied Scotland on their travels to the Spanish World Cup in 1982
The Northern Ireland World Cup mascot for Spain ’82 – Yer Man
Pique the Jalapeno, the official sombrero and moustachio-totin’ mascot for Mexico ’86
Mexican fans make their way to a game while wearing official Pique masks
Ciao, the official match-stick mascot for Italia ’90 who just so happened to provided the inspiration for one of the worst cars ever produced – The Italia ’90 Fiat Panda
Diego Maradona, looking ever so slightly bemused/ephedrine-addled while posing with Ciao
This gormless looking thing is “Striker the World Cup Pup” – official mascot of USA ’94
Footix, giant cock and official mascot of France ’98
Like something you’d get in a happy meal, here is the instantly forgettable Japan/South Korea 2002 mascot trio of Ato, Kaz and Nik – otherwise known as “The Spheriks”.
The frankly rather terrifying Goleo VI (not sure what happened to the previous five) and his equally unsettling little buddy Pille (inset), mascots for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Zakumi, cheetah-giraffe-leopardy type thing and official mascot of South Africa 2010
Fuleco, Brazil 2014’s official World Cup mascot, is a Brazilian three-banded armadillo whose name is a portmanteau of “Futbol” and “Ecologia”
Is it just us getting older, or did those World Cup mascots get less and less charming as we scrolled down?
(Photos: PA)