From left: Four month old T’kare Prince wearing a La’eeb plush hat and Abdulkaram from Algeria proudly wearing a La’eeb plush hat.
Aside from the football shirts and flags that fans are donning during this World Cup tournament, the La’eeb plush hat has been attracting a lot of attention and delighting people of all ages as they wear it wherever they go.
The official mascot for this year’s World Cup is La’eeb, an Arabic term that denotes a super-talented player from a parallel mascot universe. Football fans and visitors can wear it like a ghutra or headdress, which is the country’s traditional headscarf.
The Peninsula talked to some fans who were seen wearing the La’eeb plush hat and expressed their joy at how the mascot brings delight as well as introduces the culture of the Arab to the world.
Farah Williams from Malaysia who’s living in Qatar for more than a decade bought one for his four-month-old son T’kare Prince. “It’s the cutest FIFA mascot ever and is the most relatable especially for Qataris and the Muslim community as the La’eeb plush hat celebrates the culture of Qatar and being part of that culture is beautiful.”
She highlighted how the headpiece fosters community. “It brings everyone together, La’eeb is a symbolic mascot. Once you wear the hat, you are part of the tradition.
“Seeing people wearing it on the streets regardless of where they come from is purely amazing, it became like a viral headwear. Whoever came out of this idea is really a genius,” she said.
Abdulkaram from Algeria was also hooked with the mascot and proudly sports the headgear everywhere he goes.
“It is the culture of Qatar and La’eeb is the symbol of the World Cup. This hat is amazing – comfortable and very cool, I really like it.”
The 35-year-old said that he had extended his stay to Qatar, instead of leaving today, he will be flying back to Algeria on December 9. “I arrived on November 18 and decided to extend because I can’t get enough of the World Cup – everything is amazing, the atmosphere is cool, and it’s the best time to be here in Qatar. As an Arab and Muslim, we have everything here.”
Jaidie from Japan said La’eeb captured the heart of all – both young and old. “Integrating the Qatari culture to a headdress that is relatable to everyone sends a powerful message which shows the culture’s power to connect. And wearing the hat in this cool weather is fun, it’s like a fashion statement.”
La’eeb plush hat is available at Qatar Museums Gift Shop located at various museums including the National Museum of Qatar, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum, and Museum of Islamic Art. Also, at various stores selling FIFA World Cup 2022 official licensed products. The hat costs QR110.
