July 11, 2026 Back Home

Felines and Football: The Purr-fect Connection Between Cats and the World Cup

There’s a big soccer tournament happening at the moment, and while all the attention is on the players on the pitch, there’s naturally a lot of focus on felines.

Forget the amazing goals and stunning free-kicks—the real stars of the FIFA World Cup have four legs and some serious sass.

From “cursing” tournament favorites to going viral for celebrations, cats have woven themselves into the fabric of the beautiful game.

Grab some catnip and settle in—here is the ultimate breakdown of how cats have conquered the biggest tournament on Earth.

😻Corner kicks, Curses, and chonks⚽️

As expected, cats have managed to wiggle their way into all four corners of the World Cup. Here are a few ways how:

Did a cat curse the country of brazil?

It appears a cat may have put a curse on Brazil. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Brazil’s media officer got in some hot water after aggressively grabbing a cat that jumped on the podium during a press conference. Media reports suggest the crowd was not impressed, and the internet immediately declared Brazil cursed.

Just days after, Brazil was shockingly knocked out of the tournament.

The curse continued during the 2026 cup, as the Brazil team was once again knocked out in shocking fashion by Norway.

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“Psychic” Cat Predicts World Cup

Move over sports experts, a cat apparently knows the cup better than you.

Meet Billy the cat, a one-year-old British shorthair from Ireland who became an Instagram sensation by correctly calling the winner of 19 straight matches in the 2026 World Cup by tapping his paw on the corresponding flag.

According to media reports, Billy’s owners would present him with two flags before each match and let him do the rest.

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cats love Watching the Games

You don’t have to look far on TikTok, or Instagram, to see that humans aren’t the only ones glued to the screen this summer.

By many accounts, it appears cats love the World Cup.

Cats apparently love watching the ball go back and forth, treating it much like a high-definition laser pointer.

Countless viral videos show cats frantically swatting at the tiny digital ball on TV screens, intercepting penalty kicks, or tracking Lionel Messi’s footwork with absolute intensity.

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Mascots, nicknames, and team pride!

Cats aren’t just watching from the sidelines; they are apparently the identity of this year’s tournament, as well as several powerhouse teams.

In addition to a moose and bald eagle, one of the main mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is also a cat.

According to FIFA, “Zayu the Jaguar, from the jungles of southern Mexico, embodies the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of the country. With a name inspired by unity, strength and joy, Zayu transforms on the pitch as a striker, showcasing exceptional ingenuity and agility that intimidates defenders. Off the pitch, Zayu embraces Mexican culture through dance, food and tradition, uniting people across borders with passion and pride. More than an athlete, Zayu is a symbol of cultural celebration and connection, carrying the heart of Mexico with pride.”

@pattyteji2 ¡El rugido del Mundial 2026 ya está aquí! 🐆⚽️✨ Zayu el jaguar, la hermosa mascota de México en su versión más tierna 🇲🇽🐆 Tiene el tamaño perfecto para acompañarte a celebrar cada gol o para convertirse en esa pieza de colección única que todo hincha quiere tener 🐆✨ Tamaño: 📏 16 cm aprox. 100% tejido a mano, ¡listo para alentar con toda la garra! 🐆 P. D. Maple🫎 y Clutch 🦅en proceso 🥰 #mundial2026 #zayu #crochet #amigurumi #jaguar ♬ sonido original – LOS40 SPAIN

There’s also quite a history of cats claiming the World Cup mascot throne over the years as well.

• 1966 – World Cup Willie: A “Union Jack-wearing Lion” for host-country England.
• 2010 – Zakumi: A “cool leopard with green hair” for host-country South Africa.

And much like the tournament itself, it appears there’s a connection between cats and the teams as well. Here are a few:

• England (The Three Lions): Emblazoned on their crest since 1872, England’s squad carries the weight of three royal lions every time they take the pitch.
• Cameroon (The Indomitable Lions): One of Africa’s most iconic footballing nations doesn’t just play; they roar. Their nickname perfectly captures their fierce, never-say-die attitude. Sadly, the Lions did not qualify for this year’s cup.
• Morocco (The Atlas Lions): The historic underdogs who stole the world’s heart in 2022 are named after the majestic big cats that once roamed North Africa.

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Whether they are cursing past champions, trying to catch the ball through a flat-screen TV, or flying around the field on a player’s patch, cats have proven time and again that they are the true champions of the World Cup.