World Cup Fever Has Officially Reached the El Paso Zoo

The El Paso Zoo introduced a World Cup-themed celebration that pairs animals with each remaining country still in contention for the trophy as the tournament heads into the Round of 16. The campaign assigns “World Cup roster” roles to species, including a jaguar for Mexico and a mountain lion for Team USA. Argentina is represented by the Magellanic penguin, while Brazil is represented by the golden lion tamarin, and some nations use substitute animals in cases comparable to tournament replacements. The zoo said each animal also functions as an ambassador for wildlife conservation, linking matchups to education and support for the Painted Dog Research Trust. That nonprofit transforms wire snares used to trap wildlife into artworks, with proceeds funding conservation work. The zoo’s initiative encourages visitors to learn about species and to contribute through purchasing and its Conservation Fund.