FIFA WC 2022: FIFA has unveiled La’eeb as the official mascot for this year’s FIFA World Cup 2022. La’eeb is an animated character who was introduced through a video on the official social media handles of the FIFA World Cup on Friday, when the official draws for the World Cup to be held in Qatar was also released. Earlier in the day, the official ball for the World Cup was also unveiled and it has been titled ‘Al Rihla’. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates.
FIFA WC 2022: Official mascot, official ball and trophy – All you need to know about FIFA World Cup 2022
La’eeb – Official Mascot
In the official animated video, La’eeb is introduced as one from a paraleel mascot-verse, which is a magic house. The word La’Eeb in arabic means super skilled player and the mascot encourages everyone to believe in themselves with the slogan, ‘Now is All.’
La’eeb is here to share his love of football with fans worldwide!#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uYJALVNUVw
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2022
Al Rihla – Official Match ball
Ahead of unveiling the draws for the mega event, FIFA along with Adidas on Wednesday unveiled the official match ball for the World Cup. It has been named Al Rihla which means ‘journey’ in Arabic. The designers of the ball say that the ball will be the fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball till date.
Al Rihla, the #OfficialMatchBall of the 2022 #FIFAWorldCup, means ‘the journey’
This is the journey to Qatar, starting now#Qatar2022 | @adidasFootball pic.twitter.com/w8Jwg6lFCS
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 31, 2022
The Al Rihla is one of the most unique balls that have been solely created based on performance analysis, data, and statistics. Rigorous testing has been carried out both in matches and in wind tunnels to perfect the ball and to make it the fastest and the most accurate ball to be ever made.
Al Rihla will also be the first of its kind in the new age of football that will be inked with water inks mixed with a blend of glues. The biggest concern for this ball would be to live up to its hype and keep the standards high.
FIFA World Cup Trophy
Right from the first-ever World Cup in 1930, the Jules Rimer Trophy was awarded to the winners. Originally called ‘victory’ the trophy was named in 1946 in honour of Jules Rimet who initiated the competition. The Jules Rimet trophy was awarded but not kept by the winning team and it was permanently awarded only if a team wins the trophy thrice. Brazil won the third title in 1970 and kept the trophy permanently. However it was stolen in 1983.
In 1974, a replacement trophy was designed and the current trophy was selected and ever since 1974, it has been used as the official World Cup trophy. Unlike the Jules Rimet trophy, this new trophy is not awarded to the teams permanently as the original trophy remains with FIFA. Instead the gold-palated bronze replica is awarded to the winning nations.
Measurements of the trophy
Height – 36 centimeters (14 inches)
Weight – 4,970 grams (11 pounds)
The World Cup is officially set to kickstart on 21st November and the finals is scheduled to take place on 18th December. This will be the first-ever World Cup held in the Middle East and will also be the first-time it will be held during the Northern hemisphere winter months.
FIFA WC 2022: Official mascot, official ball and trophy – All you need to know about FIFA World Cup 2022
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