‘Waru’ the knitted koala: crocheted mascot becomes Germany’s secret World Cup weapon

Germany's Sara Doorsoun with Waru, German’s knitted Women’s World Cup mascot. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

As the German national team gathered before their opening match of the Women’s World Cup, a convincing win over Morocco in Melbourne, a curious knitted mascot sat on the grass in the middle of the huddle.

Lying on top of a shirt bearing the name and number of defender Carolin Simon, who was ruled out through injury on the eve of the tournament, sat a koala named “Waru”.