With 23 limited-edition collectibles, this is the first time I’ve wanted a Happy Meal since I was a kid.
If you’re a millennial or the parent of a millennial, then I think you will remember the Teenie Beanie Baby craze that took over McDonald’s in the late ’90s. For anyone who is unaware—let me give you the lore.
Beanie Babies were the hottest toy on the market in the ’90s. In terms of modern toy popularity, it was like if you crossed Needohs with Labubus and only sold them at a handful of retailers. And though the McDonald’s Happy Meal has changed over the years, perhaps nothing was more iconic than when the chain offered Teenie Beanies as Happy Meal toys. They were smaller, cuter versions of the classic Beanie Babies, and everyone wanted them.
In fact, my mother used to drive up to a McDonald’s window, ask them which Teenie Beanies they had in stock, and if we already had them, she drove away. Not home, of course, but to the McDonald’s in the next town over. This was all very reasonable to me, because I was 8 and wanted the Teenie Beanie lobster more than anything.
So when I saw that McDonald’s is dropping a FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal with limited-edition Squishmallows, I had flashbacks. This is about to be the biggest fast-food toy drop of the year—mark my words. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal?
The Happy Meal is a collaboration between McDonald’s, FIFA and Squishmallows and celebrates all things soccer. Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin because this entire meal is so cute—even the box, but we’ll get to that.
First, the toys. Each meal comes with one of 23 miniature Squishmallows. The mini Squishmallows are bedecked in one of three jerseys that match each host country: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Represented among the crew are the official mascots for the World Cup as well: Maple the Moose from Canada, Zayu the Jaguar from Mexico and Clutch the Bald Eagle from the United States. Whether you’re a soccer fan or just an animal fan, this cute collab is going to be a hit.
Additionally, the Happy Meal box is decorated with FIFA graphics and actually converts into a soccer goal. You can fold part of it into a tiny ball and fold in one side to make a goal. I guarantee that this is about to become every kid’s dinner request for the foreseeable future.
When will the FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal be available?
This limited-edition Happy Meal hits participating McDonald’s locations on June 9. It will be available while supplies last, and I am definitely foreseeing this being an uber-popular menu release. If you’re a fan of soccer, McDonald’s or just love Squishmallows, you’ll want to head to your local Mickey D’s the week of June 9. I’m going to go and get one for my mom and I, for old time’s sake. It’s no Teenie Beanie lobster, but I think I can settle for a jaguar instead.
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- Popeyes Just Dropped Its First-Ever Boxed Biscuit Mixes, and I Tested Them Immediately
