Cheering along "Moo Deng" the beloved dwarf hippo adds excitement by confidently choosing "Argentina's national team" to be the 2026 World Cup champions
On 18 July 2026 GMT+7, reporters at the hippo exhibit of Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, reported that Mr. Narongwit Chodchoi, the zoo director, brought excitement to visitors with a prediction event for the 2026 World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina.
As part of the zoo's nutrition event, Khao Kheow Open Zoo prepared fruit sets as behavioral enrichment food, beautifully carved with the national team names ESP and ARG, and adorned with the flags of both countries on the fruit arrangements.
Meanwhile, Benz, the dwarf hippo caretaker, helped prepare the enrichment food before releasing Moo Deng, the beloved dwarf hippo, to choose the team predicted to win the World Cup. At the start, Moo Deng walked directly to the fruit set marked with the Argentine flag (ARG) without hesitation, amid cheers and smiles from visitors watching. This led to Moo Deng’s prediction that Argentina will be the 2026 World Cup champion.
Mr. Narongwit Chodchoi, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, stated that this activity was organized to bring joy, fun, and excitement to visitors while promoting animal enrichment. The fruit serves as behavioral enrichment to encourage exercise, reduce stress, allow natural behaviors, and provide nutritionally appropriate food portions.
Regardless of whether the actual match result matches Moo Deng’s choice, the event is intended to entertain and bring smiles to visitors and football fans worldwide. The prediction by Moo Deng is purely for entertainment and publicity, with no intention to promote or support illegal gambling activities.