Japan Names Pikachu As Official National Football Mascot For 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup In Partnership With Adidas And Nintendo

Japan’s national football team has added a few new “players” to its roster as it prepares for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Adidas AG (ETR:ADS), the official sponsor and maker of Japan’s national football team uniform kit announced that it will feature one of Nintendo Co. Ltd's (OTCMKTS:NTDOY) most recognizable video game characters, Pikachu, as the team’s official mascot. While the partnership between Adidas and Nintendo was previously announced in February, details surrounding the partnership were previously unknown until Adidas’ latest announcement this March.

According to Adidas and Nintendo, Pikachu will be supporting Japan’s “Samurai Blue” at the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup this summer along with several other Pokémon from the series franchise, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and more.

In addition to the Adidas’ sponsorship agreement with Nintendo’s Pokémon, Adidas has also partnered up with Japan music sensation AKB48 and other Japanese athletes and artists as part of its larger “Engine” promotion, which aims to drum up support for Japan’s national football team in anticipation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer from June 12 to July 13, facing off against Côte d'Ivoire, Greece and Colombia in Group C.