June 10, 2026
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada, attention will once again turn to the biggest stars, teams and storylines in global football. This edition marks the first World Cup hosted by three countries and features an expanded 48-team format, with defending champions Argentina aiming to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
But beyond the goals, drama and tactical battles, the World Cup has also long been accompanied by one of its strangest side attractions: animals believed to predict match results.
Over the years, zoos, aquariums and conservation centres have turned tournament prediction into a playful public spectacle, drawing global attention to creatures ranging from parrots to cats, otters and even meerkats.
The most famous of them all remains Paul the octopus, who rose to global fame during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and became a cultural phenomenon.
