A report claims the cat selected the winner in 27 of the first 31 matches. If accurate, that is an eye-catching record, particularly across a tournament where a set piece, defensive error or late substitution can decide the result.
But the ritual contains no football information. The cat cannot assess squad depth, tactical shape, injuries, finishing quality or game management. A strong short-term record can emerge from chance, especially when every selection has only two possible outcomes.
The appeal is easy to understand. Tournament football is full of uncertainty, and a simple routine gives supporters another way to participate. Two flags and one touch create a result before the real contest begins.
It also turns prediction into entertainment rather than argument. Tactical previews demand knowledge of form, structure and match-ups. The cat requires only suspense. Correct calls become memorable clips, while incorrect ones quickly disappear from the conversation.
That imbalance can make coincidence look like evidence. Four misses in the reported sequence matter, but even a run of correct selections would not prove that the next choice has improved odds of success. Each match remains a separate contest shaped by players and decisions on the pitch.
As the tournament moves towards its final fixtures, attention will turn to the cat’s next flag. The moment may generate another viral prediction, but the real test will still come through tactics, execution and pressure. The ritual belongs in the fun around football-not in the serious business of forecasting it.