CHONBURI — Thailand’s celebrity pygmy hippo Moo Deng has predicted that Argentina will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing the South American side over Spain during a prediction event at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
The activity was held on 18 July 2026 at the zoo’s pygmy hippopotamus enclosure in Si Racha district, where zoo officials invited visitors to watch Moo Deng make its pick ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
As part of the event, the zoo’s nutrition team prepared two fruit platters as environmental enrichment for the animal, carving the team abbreviations ESP and ARG into the fruit and decorating each with the respective national flag.
After the enrichment items were placed inside the enclosure, Moo Deng walked directly to the fruit platter bearing Argentina’s flag, drawing cheers and laughter from spectators.
The selection was interpreted as the hippo’s prediction that Argentina will lift the 2026 World Cup trophy.
Narongwit Chodchoi, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, said the activity was organised to entertain visitors while promoting animal enrichment, which encourages natural behaviours, provides exercise, reduces stress and supports proper nutrition.
He stressed that the prediction was intended solely as a fun promotional activity and not as encouragement or support for gambling, which is illegal in Thailand.
The zoo added that, regardless of the actual result of the World Cup final, the event was designed to bring smiles to visitors and football fans around the world.
