The 2026 FIFA World Cup will soon bring national pride, sensational goals and LABUBUs.
Everyone is familiar with POP MART’s wildly popular THE MONSTERS collection featuring the fuzzy sharp-toothed character you see hanging off designer bags and purses across the country.
LABUBU has collaborated with Japanese Anime series “One Piece,” Coca-Cola and now the FIFA World Cup. Because what better place for the industry’s hottest toy than the world’s biggest sporting event.
The mischievous creature that has quickly become a global cultural phenomenon has a devoted following stretching from Los Angeles to Seoul. Including several celebrity fans.
But now with the World Cup returning to North America for the first time since 1994, POP MART has unveiled its newest collaboration, THE MONSTERS x FIFA Series. It turns the iconic LABUBU character into a blue football hero.
The centerpiece of the collection is an oversized Vinyl Plush Doll, featuring LABUBU dressed in a World Cup kit, miniature football boots and the infamous World Cup trophy clutched firmly in hand.
“If you’re looking for something to add to your World Cup shopping list outside of the typical team jersey, hat, T-shirt and scarf, then this collaboration offers something different that people of all ages will love,” a retail executive told The California Post.
The collection extends beyond the iconic plush dolls. Pendant keychains, mini lamps, collectible glassware, magnets and football-themed accessories are all part of the rollout. POP MART also has several activations and pop-up experiences planned across the United States, Mexico and Canada during the World Cup.
“This is THE MONSTERS’ first official sports collaboration, and we’re thrilled for it to be with FIFA in what will be a historic World Cup hosted in North America,” said Emily Brough, head of licensing for Pop Mart Americas, in a news release. “By bringing LABUBU to the pitch, we’re celebrating fandom, unity and the imagination to dream big.”
Perhaps the strongest sign that LABUBU has fully entered the soccer zeitgeist came on May 21 when a giant version of the character appeared in the official FIFA Sound music video for “Goals,” featuring LISA of BLACKPINK, Anitta and Rema.
The official 2026 World Cup mascots of Clutch the Bald Eagle, Maple the Moose and Zayu the Jaguar will appear throughout the continent during the tournament, but LABUBU, the furry blue monster in his World Cup kit, is likely to steal the spotlight.
POP MART’s THE MONSTERS × FIFA Series collection is on sale now at POPMART.com and in stores nationwide.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City, where South Africa takes on host nation Mexico.
