Inside a small fish tank, two flags at opposite ends and an axolotl named Paco making the most important decision of his life. 🐾 The video was posted on June 9, 2026, and within a few hours it had racked up thousands of views: the amphibian moved without hesitation toward the Mexican flag, sealing his prediction for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.
The comparison was immediate. Just like Paul the Octopus from the 2010 World Cup — who correctly predicted several results by choosing between two boxes — Paco was crowned the new football oracle. The story also has an extra twist: Mexico and South Africa had already faced each other in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, drawing 1-1 with goals from Tshabalala and Rafael Márquez. Now they were meeting again, this time at Estadio Ciudad de México (Azteca), the first venue in the world to host three opening matches of a World Cup. 🏟️
Of course, social media did not entirely buy it. Several users pointed out that the video could have been manipulated with artificial intelligence, although there is no official confirmation of that. What is real is that the axolotl — a critically endangered species native to the canals of Xochimilco — became the involuntary symbol of an entire nation. Science, luck, or World Cup marketing? You decide. 🤔