Animals at Guadalajara Zoo Take a Whimsical Stab at World Cup Predictions

At the Guadalajara Zoo in Mexico, two elephants took center stage, navigating a playful football field to forecast the outcome of the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The elephants faced a unique decision: to graze on grass marked with the Mexican flag or the one representing South Africa. Their choice to meander toward the Mexican side has sparked predictions that Mexico will claim victory in this eagerly awaited game scheduled for June 11.

This lighthearted prediction event follows the famous antics of Paul the Octopus, who became a global sensation during the 2010 World Cup. "The idea is that the animals are going to make predictions about different matches that will be played," explained zookeeper Ivan Reynoso in an interview with AFP.

Next in line for the prediction game were gorillas Chenchi and Faustina, who were presented with two piñatas resembling soccer jerseys—one from Spain and the other from Uruguay. After a moment of anticipation, one gorilla chose the Uruguay piñata, implying a potential victory for the South American team in their match on June 26. "It's clear who won!" a zookeeper cheered enthusiastically.

In addition to the elephants and gorillas, a puma named Muluk indicated confidence in South Korea's chances against the Czech Republic, while six giraffes expressed a preference for the Democratic Republic of Congo over Colombia. Reynoso noted that these playful activities not only engage the animals' senses but also entertain visitors excited for the upcoming global football event, emphasizing the enrichment such exercises provide for both the animals and the audience alike.