Guadalajara: An elephant at the Guadalajara Zoo has predicted that Mexico will defeat South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the tournament officially set to kick off in just a few hours, the zoo, located in one of the three host nations, has introduced a unique way to engage football fans by having animals forecast match outcomes.
According to Thai News Agency, the concept of using animals to predict World Cup results gained popularity during the 2010 World Cup with "Paul the Octopus," who became an iconic figure for correctly predicting several match results. Building on this tradition, the Guadalajara Zoo has enlisted a variety of animals, including elephants, gorillas, giraffes, and capybaras, to participate in activities designed to predict the outcomes of the World Cup's opening matches.
In a recent prediction, two elephants at the zoo, named "Shanti" and "Kenya," have foreseen a victory for Mexico over South Africa, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for fans eagerly awaiting the tournament's commencement.