What to know
- A psychic goldfish named Swimbappé, inspired by Kylian Mbappé, is predicting FIFA World Cup match outcomes from a tank outside the CBC building in downtown Toronto.
- Before each game, Swimbappé chooses between the flags of the competing countries, and according to CBC News, has correctly predicted about 70 per cent of matches so far.
- Ahead of Thursday’s Canada vs. Qatar match, the goldfish predicted a Canadian victory, marking his second prediction in Canada’s favour.
- FIFA fans online have embraced the oracle fish, joking that he is more reliable than sports analysts and celebrating him as Toronto’s newest World Cup attraction.
Sports betting in Toronto looks a little different, as an oracle fish takes centre field to predict the outcome of each FIFA game during the World Cup.
Swimbappé, named after French soccer player Kylian Mbappé, has set up shop at the corner of the CBC building on John Street and Wellington St. W.
Ahead of every scheduled match, the psychic goldfish is dropped into his tank, decorated with an aquatic soccer field and soccer ball. On top, the two flags of the competing countries are displayed, and after a moment of contemplation, Swimbappé swims to the side he believes will win the match.
According to CBC News, the goldfish has so far been right about 70 per cent of the time.
On Thursday morning, the fish was seen predicting the outcome of the Canada v.s. Qatar match happening out of Vancouver that evening. Swimbappé favoured the Great North as the team that would prevail, a safe choice for the fish currently residing in the country.
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Online reaction
The oracle goldfish has gotten many positive reactions from online FIFA fans, with some people saying Swimbappé was the most reliable source for betting.
“Consulting the fish is still more reliable than most sports analysts 😂” one Instagram user said.
With the goldfish’s second time predicting a win for Canada, one Instagram user said it was a wise choice.
“If he didn’t pick Canada he was getting deported,” they said.
“I, for one, welcome our new fish overlord,” another supportive Instagram user said.
A few other Instagram users agreed, immediately welcoming Swimbappé in.
“All hail the all knowing goldfish 🙌🏻,” an Instagram user wrote.
FIFA fans will see if the goldfish will successfully predict another match result following the Canada v.s. Qatar game, which starts at 6 p.m. EST.
