Boxwood sculptures featuring FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots created by Ye Xiaopeng. [Photo/Wenzhou official news website]
Crafted by Ye Xiaopeng, a master artisan from Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, palm-sized boxwood sculptures featuring FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots — Maple the Moose of Canada, Zayu the Jaguar of Mexico, and Clutch the Bald Eagle of the United States — are capturing attention.
Ye has fused traditional carving with modern design, integrating soccer elements into these trendy collectibles, which will be available online and in pop-up stores during the tournament.
Breaking from traditional monochrome styles, Ye introduced color-blocking with yellow and brown, and added glass-bead eyes for a lifelike touch.
In addition to these figures, Ye's team has created accessories like pendants and fridge magnets, showcasing Wenzhou's craftsmanship on a global stage.
In recent years, boxwood carvings from Ye's studio have been featured at major sporting events like the Hangzhou Asian Games. "The combination of traditional crafts with world sports events is a worthy direction for innovation. We hope that through this cooperation, we can promote Wenzhou's intangible cultural heritage products to the world," Ye added.
