In the reported activity, four watermelons carried the flags of the semifinal contenders. Moo Deng was presented first with France and Spain, then with England and Argentina.
The hippo reportedly moved towards the French-marked fruit before choosing the English one in the second pairing. That produced a projected France-England final, with Spain and Argentina eliminated from the playful bracket.
The selection is entertainment rather than evidence. Moo Deng did not assess squad depth, tournament form or tactical matchups. The appeal comes from the simplicity of the moment: two pieces of fruit, four national flags and an instantly recognisable football narrative.
A France-England final would carry genuine sporting weight. France have built a reputation for reaching the latter stages of major tournaments through athleticism, depth and attacking variety. England, meanwhile, have assembled a generation capable of controlling possession while threatening from set pieces and wide areas.
The matchup would also offer a contrast in tournament identity. France’s transition game could test England’s defensive structure, while England’s midfield technique would challenge France’s ability to protect central spaces.
The report says the activity was designed to encourage movement, exercise and natural behaviour while giving visitors an entertaining experience. The zoo also stressed that it was not an official prediction and was not intended to promote betting.
That distinction matters. Moo Deng’s choice may become a memorable pre-tournament anecdote, but the real verdict will come from qualification, squad selection and knockout performances.
When the 2026 World Cup arrives, the next storyline to watch will be whether France and England can turn a hippopotamus’s playful bracket into a genuine path towards the final.