Sport

As England ignites its bid to host the 2018 World Cup with a little help from football legends, fanatics and even senior politicians, we look back at all of the flag-flying mascots in the history of the competition since our last triumphant stab at the title.

England's mascot was a lion - a typical symbol of the United Kingdom, wearing a Union Jack jersey emblazoned with the words "WORLD CUP". It just doesn't get much more patriotic.