Fuleco the Armadillo is the official mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.Representing aBrazilian three-banded armadillo,a species of armadillo which is native to Brazil and categorized as avulnerable species on the IUCN Red List,Fuleco was officially launched as part of Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo's weekly Fantástico entertainment show on 25 November 2012.His name is aportmanteau of the words Futebol ("football") and Ecologia ("Ecology").The mascot,with his message of environmental concerns,ecology and sport,turned out to be very popular with football teams around the world.