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FIFA names 2014 World Cup mascot 'Fuleco'

Almost half of the more than 1.7 million people who voted in an online poll chose Fuleco ahead of 'Zuzeco' and 'Amijubi'.

The mascot is a three-banded armadillo, which is an endangered species in Brazil.

The tradition of a World Cup mascot dates back to 1966, when a lion named 'World Cup Willie' was chosen for the tournament in England.

Since then, the mascots have ranged from two German boys "Tip and Tap" in 1974, to "Pique" the chili pepper in Mexico in 1986, and "Zakumi" the leopard, who represented the tournament in South Africa in 2010.

The yellow and blue armadillo was chosen in September and huge inflatable versions were set up in Brazil's 12 host cities. However, authorities were forced to take them down or increase security in at least three cities after vandals attacked them.