The Brazilian public have until mid-November to name the mascot, which will become the friendly face of the finals over the next two years, with one of three choices – Amijubi, Fuleco and Zuzeco.

The announcement was made on a television show with help from former Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldo, now playing a key organisational role.

"The mascot will play a key ambassadorial role in the next two years," Ronaldo said.

"I'm sure he will inspire many young football fans in Brazil and all over the world with the great passion which he has for the sport and for his country."

The three-banded armadillo, which is in danger of extinction, rolls up into the shape of a ball when threatened and is commonly found in North-Eastern Brazil.

The mascot carries the colours of the Brazilian flag – yellow with green shorts and a blue shell and tail.

"The fact that the three-banded armadillo is a vulnerable species is very fitting," said FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.

"One of the key objectives through the 2014 FIFA World Cup is to use the event as a platform to communicate the importance of the environment and ecology."

In terms of the three possible names, Amijubi is a representation of friendliness and joy, while Fuleco and Zuzeco are linked to an ecological message.

England's World Cup Willie in 1966 was a pioneer for mascots

The first time a mascot was introduced at the World Cup was in 1966 in England – a lion dressed in the Union Jack flag and named Willie.

The mascot of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a leopard, an animal commonly found in that country.

It was yellow and green - the South African colours - and was called Zakumi.

In 2006 in Germany, the mascot was a lion called Goleo.

Other World Cup mascots included a boy called Juanito in Mexico in 1970, an orange named Naranjito in Spain in 1982, a dog called Striker in the United States in 1994 and a rooster named Footix in France in 1998.

FIFA also recently announced that the World Cup ball will be called "Brazuca," an informal word often used to describe national pride.

Adidas, the official World Cup ball supplier, say Brazilians voted on the name which "symbolises emotion, pride and goodwill to all," mirroring Brazil's "approach to football".

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