Football-like armadillo chosen as 2014 World Cup mascot

Brazil has chosen a peculiar looking armadillo which can curl itself up like a football as the 2014 World Cup mascot.

The tatu bola, or three banded armadillo, is indigenous to Brazil and is an endangered species.

Fifa's secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, said turning the endangered creature into the cartoon mascot was "very fitting" as one of the tournament's main aims was to raise awareness about the environment and ecology.

Maria E. Dupin reports.