La’eeb

La'eeb

La'eeb

Mascot for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Laʼeeb (Arabic: لعيب, romanized: Laʿīb) was the official mascot of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,[1] which was held in Qatar.[2] The name means "super-skilled player" in Arabic,[3] and is a representation of the popular men's headdress keffiyeh, used in many parts of the Arab world.[4] He[5] was designed by Indian firm Fractal Picture, and animated by Qatari firm Katara Studios.[6][7]

La'eeb, the mascot

Creation and design

La'eeb is an anthropomorphic keffiyeh, that floats and has eyes, lips, and an open mouth, however is presented as a joyful character that loves to help everyone.[8] Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi, Deputy Director General, Marketing, Communications and Tournament Experience, stated “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.”[9] La'eeb is presented to be adventurous, fun and curious, and encourages everyone to believe in themselves.[10]

Laʼeeb was revealed to the public through a short film produced by Fractal Picture and co-created by Katara Studios, "A Visit from Mascot Verse".[6][7] He was named the first 'digitised' mascot,[11] from the 'mascot verse', "a place that is indescribable. We encourage everyone to imagine what it looks like" - which is open to interpretation.[9]

A water screen projection film created by Fractal Picture in collaboration with La'eeb was exhibited on the corniche of Qatar. Additionally, they produced a 3D LED digital billboard film that was displayed in Lusail.[12]

Public reception

La'eeb has faced criticism for its ghostly appearance, which some have linked to the deaths of guest workers on World Cup construction sites. While some fans appreciate the mascot's reference to regional culture, others argue that it lacks a connection to football, as it cannot physically play the game due to its missing feet.[13][14][15]

Twitter users were particularly vocal in their opinions of La'eeb, with many likening the mascot to a ghost or jinn, and some even referring to it as a "tissue paper" figure. Despite the criticism, there were also those who defended La'eeb's design and praised its cultural significance.[16][17][18]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Conor Pope (2022-11-20). "What is the Qatar World Cup 2022 mascot? Meet La'eeb, the "super-skilled" headdress". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  2. [2]
    "World Cup 2022: schedule, teams, venues and final". Reuters. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  3. [3]
    ANI (2022-04-02). "La'eeb unveiled as official mascot for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". ThePrint. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  4. [4]
    "With Regard To La'eeb Si Maskot Of The 2022 Qatar World Cup Whose Shape Is Like The Closing Of The Head Of The Middle East". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  5. [5]
    "What is the World Cup 2022 mascot? Explaining name, meaning and story behind Qatar's La'eeb". www.sportingnews.com. 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  6. [6]
    Khosla, Varuni (2022-12-09). "Indian company Fractal Picture behind Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 mascot La'eeb". mint. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  7. [7]
    Picture, Fractal. "Fractal Picture India creates LA'EEB, the Iconic mascot for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  8. [8]
    Hashmi, Saquib (2022-04-23). "La'eeb Meaning: Official Mascot of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". The Teal Mango. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  9. [9]
    MacDonald, Keifer (2022-11-20). "Qatar World Cup mascot name La'eeb and story behind the character explained". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  10. [10]
    Rajiv, Pranay (2022-11-10). "FIFA World Cup 2022 Mascot: From Willie to La'eeb – the history of mascots at the WC". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  11. [11]
    Writer, Afroq (2022-10-11). "Explaining La'eeb: The first digitised mascot in World Cup history". AfroQconnect. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  12. [12]
    "Fractal Picture, Katara Studios partner to bring our La'eeb for FIFA World Cup 2022". Financialexpress. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  13. [13]
    "At Qatar's World Cup, Where Politics and Pleasure Collide". The New Yorker. 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  14. [14]
    "The Qatar World Cup mascot design is inspired by…a piece of traditional Arab attire". Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  15. [15]
    Hashmi, Saquib (2022-04-23). "La'eeb Meaning: Official Mascot of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". The Teal Mango. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  16. [16]
    Hashmi, Saquib (2022-04-23). "La'eeb Meaning: Official Mascot of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". The Teal Mango. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  17. [17]
    Ansari, Dave; Alizadeh, Elham (2022-07-13). "Is La'eeb a Strategic Mascot? (The Official Mascot of FIFA World Cup 2022: A Strategic Analysis)". Dream Farm Studios. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  18. [18]
    "The 2022 World Cup mascot: La'eeb makes a stir on social media". MARCA. 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
Preceded by FIFA World Cup mascot
La'eeb
FIFA 2022		 Succeeded by
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