SRIRACHA, Thailand – Thailand’s famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng has made her latest football prediction, choosing Argentina as the team she believes will lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy after a playful selection event at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi. The activity took place on July 18 at the pygmy hippo enclosure in Sriracha District, where zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi and staff created a fun experience for visitors ahead of the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina. The zoo’s animal nutrition team prepared special fruit arrangements as part of an Animal Enrichment activity, designed to encourage natural behavior while providing mental and physical stimulation for the animals. The displays featured the names of the two finalists, ESP and ARG, along with the national flags of Spain and Argentina.
Moo Deng’s caretaker, known as Benz, helped prepare the enrichment food before allowing the young pygmy hippo to make her playful choice. When the activity began, Moo Deng walked directly toward the fruit arrangement marked ARG – Argentina, without hesitation. Her choice drew cheers, laughter and smiles from visitors watching the event, leading to Moo Deng’s prediction that Argentina would become the 2026 World Cup champions. Narongwit said the activity was organized to create happiness and entertainment for visitors while supporting animal welfare through enrichment techniques. The specially prepared food encourages animals to move, explore, reduce stress, display natural behaviors and receive appropriate nutrition.
The zoo emphasized that Moo Deng’s selection was created purely for entertainment and public engagement. It is not connected to gambling or any promotion of illegal betting. Whether Moo Deng’s prediction matches the final result or not, the activity has given football fans and visitors another reason to smile while enjoying one of Thailand’s most beloved animal celebrities. Moo Deng has made her choice, but the real answer will be decided on the pitch. Football fans across Thailand, including supporters in Pattaya, are preparing to watch the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at 2:00 a.m. Thailand time on Monday, July 20. The match will be broadcast free on Monomax Sports TV Channel 29, with millions of fans worldwide waiting to see whether the famous Khao Kheow Zoo hippo’s prediction comes true.
