Nana Kwaku Bonsam’s World Cup 2026 prediction did not match the tournament’s outcome. The Ghanaian spiritual figure said Argentina would exit early and Portugal would win, but Portugal were eliminated by Spain while Argentina reached the final against La Roja.
The failed call placed Bonsam alongside a long line of World Cup predictors that have become part of the tournament’s public spectacle. Animals and spiritual figures have drawn attention by making choices that are treated as forecasts for major matches.
Bonsam is a Ghanaian figure who claims to possess supernatural powers connected to football. His name has become well known in discussions around African football because several of his claims have coincided with major international tournaments.
| Predictor | World Cup | Method | Noted Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul the Octopus | 2010 | Chose between containers marked with flags | Correct in eight matches |
| Nelly the Elephant | 2014 | Kicked a ball toward flag-marked goals | Predicted competing teams |
| Farah the Eagle | 2018 | Selected between two relay batons | Missed the Belgium vs France semifinal |
| Achilles the Cat | 2018 | Chose between two food bowls marked with flags | Correctly picked Russia |
| Nana Kwaku Bonsam | 2026 | Claims supernatural powers | Prediction proved inaccurate |
1. Paul the Octopus
Paul became one of the best-known World Cup predictors after correctly forecasting eight matches at the 2010 tournament. The octopus was placed in an aquarium and presented with two options marked by the flags of the teams due to play.
His choice was interpreted as a prediction of the winner. Paul died in October 2010, prompting sadness among his followers.
2. Nelly the Elephant
Nelly, an elephant from Germany, appeared as a predictor during the 2014 World Cup. She made her selection by kicking a ball toward a goal marked with the flag of one of the two competing teams.
The method gave each forecast a clear visual outcome. Nelly continued the tournament tradition of using animals as informal match predictors.
3. Farah the Eagle
Farah the eagle made predictions during the 2018 World Cup by choosing between two relay batons. The selection represented one of the teams involved in a match.
Her forecast was not always correct. In the Belgium versus France semifinal, Farah landed on Belgium’s flag, but France won the match.
4. Achilles the Cat
Achilles was used as a predictor at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The cat was given two identical bowls of food, each marked with the flag of one of the competing nations.
One accurate call came before the opening match between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Achilles chose the bowl marked with Russia’s flag, and Russia won 4-0.
5. Nana Kwaku Bonsam
Bonsam became a prominent name during the 2026 World Cup because of his claims surrounding major tournaments. However, his prediction about Argentina and Portugal was contradicted by the teams’ actual paths in the competition.
These five figures show why World Cup predictors remain memorable even when their forecasts fail. Their methods, from flag choices to food bowls and football kicks, have become part of the tournament’s wider story.
