Fuleco

Tatu-bola, an armadillo that defends itself from predators by rolling up into a ball, was chosen as the official mascot by FIFA in September 2012. After the draft paper design by Brazil, it was actually manufactured by Kayford Holdings Ltd, a Chinese company based in Hangzhou which as the offical licensee has the right to set prices for the plush mascots and other related products.

Fuleco, with its message of environmental concerns, the ecology and the sport, turned out to be very popular with football teams around the world. [China Daily]