The mascot for Euro 2024 in Germany will be called Albärt. The name was chosen following a vote by the European football confederation, UEFA, the German Football Association announced on Wednesday.
The other proposals, Bärnardo, Bärnheart and Herzi von Bär, were not selected, while Albärt received 32% of the votes.
The Euro 2024 mascot is a teddy bear. This is a tribute to the popular teddy bear, said to have originated in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, UEFA explained.
The then unnamed European Cup bear was presented to German fans in June during the national team’s match against Colombia in Gelsenkirchen. Albärt will now tour schools across Europe as part of a campaign to encourage physical exercise.
“With the launch of our tournament mascot, we hope to create a fun and likeable character that will inspire [children] to enjoy playing football,” Euro 2024 Director Philipp Lahm commented.
