Franz Beckenbauer, head of the 2006 World Cup organising committee, and Brazilian World Cup legend Pele unveiled the mascot that harps back to 1966 when 'Willy' the lion was the mascot for the World Cup in England.

However, unlike Willy, Goleo the lion will be able to talk with the aid of an attached football.

See all the mascots here.

With Goleo VI FIFA is offering an official mascot that is multi-layered and almost a living character, very different from the Tip and Tap mascot from the 1974 World Cup," read a statement from football's governing body FIFA.

"In today's media environment FIFA feels the mascot is a figure to identify with and has real meaning to the fans."

According to FIFA the name 'Goleo' comes from the character's 'father' who always called out "Go, Leo, go!"

'Goleo' is set to make his first official appearance in Germany's friendly match against Cameroon, nicknamed the Indomitable Lions, in Leipzig on Wednesday