Social media has been left unimpressed by the new mascot for the 2022 Qatar World Cup – comparing it to Casper the Friendly Ghost.
The mascot called ‘La’eeb’ was unveiled before teams discovered who they will play in the group stages of the tournament later this year.
La’eeb is an Arabic word meaning ‘super-skilled player’ with FIFA’s website claiming that he ‘belongs to a parallel mascot-verse that is indescribable.’
Social media has poured scorn on FIFA’s unveiling of ‘La’eeb’ (right) as the mascot the 2022 World Cup
They said everyone is invited to interpret what the mascot looks like and on social media a number of people made the same comparison.
One Twitter user asked: ‘Isn’t that Casper,’ while another responded: ‘Okay who had ghost napkin in the mascot sweepstakes?’
Another user commented: ‘Why is Casper playing football??? The thing doesn’t even have feet like.’
Several people poured scorn on the mascot with Cam Felton writing: ‘Well that’s terrible,’ while SuttonDruck posted: ‘What is this. Like actually what is this.’
WVPitt commented: ‘The mascot looks like the towel we used to clean our kid’s faces when they were babies.’
While a Barcelona fan commented: ‘Why does he look like Ronaldo of big games.’
Another user posted that La’eeb ‘didn’t hold a candle’ to the mascot of the 1982 World Cup in Spain which was called ‘Naranjito’.
Social media users have compared the mascot of the tournament to cartoon character Casper
The World Cup draw saw England put in Group B alongside Iran, USA and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine
Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi, deputy director general of marketing and commubications told FIFA’s official website: ‘We are delighted to unveil La’eeb as the Official Mascot for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. He comes from the mascot-verse – a place that is indescribable.
‘We encourage everyone to imagine what it looks like. We are sure fans everywhere will love this fun and playful character. La’eeb will play a vital role as we engage fans young and old in Qatar’s FIFA World Cup experience.’
The World Cup draw saw England put into Group B where they will face the United States, Iran and one of Wales, Scotland and Ukraine.
The hosts meanwhile will face Ecuador in the first match of the tournament and are in a group also consisting of Senegal and the Netherlands.
SPORTSMAIL’S GUIDE TO ENGLAND’S OPPONENTS
Iran
Who’s the manager?
Dragan Skocic – The Croatian coach was appointed in February 2020 as a replacement for former Belgium manager Marc Wilmots and has guided Iran through qualifying and to their sixth World Cup appearances.
Skocic has great experience of the Iranian football system, having worked with domestic clubs Malavana and Foolad. He has a sublime track record so far, winning 15 of the 17 games he has overseen as manager.
Who’s the star man?
Sardar Azmoun – Azmoun was once a target for Liverpool in the Brendan Rodgers era at Anfield after impressing in Russia. A move to Anfield never materialised though and instead he stayed and joined Zenit St Petersburg, scoring 62 goals in 104 games.
His big move came in January when German side Bayer Leverkusen opted to bring forward his arrival to the Bundesliga from this summer. The 27-year-old is yet to find the back of the net for his new club but his speed and pressing will be a problem for teams in Qatar.
How did they qualify?
After working their way through the deep qualifying pool in Asia, Iran finished top of the AFC’s third round – a round robin system featuring the seven group winners and five best runners-up.
Iran won their group with eight wins from 10 matches, beating Son Heung-min and South Korea to top spot.
Chance of winning the trophy – 1/5
Iran won their group with eight wins from 10 matches, beating South Korea to top spot
United States
Who’s the manager?
Gregg Berhalter – Berhalter was handpicked to take over as US coach back in 2018 when he was plucked from MLS franchise Columbus Crew as part of a huge reset following a shambolic 2-1 defeat by Trinidad and Tobago that saw them miss out.
After an uninspiring first year in charge, Berhalter has managed to make the most of the promising crop of American talent springing up across Europe and get a tune out of them. A former defender, the 48-year-old represented the US at two World Cups – 2002 and 2006.
Who’s the star man?
Christian Pulisic – The Chelsea winger has been the poster boy for American football for a number of years and had to put up with team-mates that simply just weren’t as good as him.
But now he has some back-up in the form of Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna, Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie. With a hat-trick against Panama earlier this week, Pulisic proved he will be their biggest threat in Qatar.
How did they qualify?
It was nerve-shredding but the US sealed their place at Qatar this week by claiming the third and final automatic space in North America behind Canada and Mexico, despite losing to Costa Rica in their final match.
Their place was all but sealed before the game after beating Panama earlier in the week but still, a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica is not exactly how you want to celebrate a World Cup return.
Chance of winning the trophy – 1/5
Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic will be the United States’ key attacking player in Qatar
Wales v Scotland/Ukraine
England will have to wait to find out who will be the fourth team to round up Group B.
Wales are set to play the winners of Scotland against Ukraine in June to discover who will make the tournament in Qatar.
It means England face the prospect of a potential Home Nations tie against Wales or Scotland.
Wales have only ever reached the World Cup finals once, way back in 1958, when they progressed through a group phase to reach the quarter-finals, losing to eventual winners Brazil in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Gareth Bale scored twice as Wales beat Austria 2-1 in their semi-final play-off match.
Scotland meanwhile have not played at a World Cup since France in 1998 when they were knocked out in a group which involved Morocco, Norway and Brazil.
Steve Clarke’s side managed to frustrate England at the European Championships last summer, holding them to a goalless draw though they were knocked out at the group stage.
England also faced Ukraine at the European Championships a 4-0 win in the quarter-finals.
Ukraine’s delayed match with Scotland comes on the back of the invasion by Russia.
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