Purr-fect Prediction: Prophet Cat Nails 19 World Cup Matches

A one-year-old British Shorthair from Northern Ireland has become a global sensation by accurately predicting the outcomes of 19 matches in a row during the 2026 World Cup. His name is Billy, and his uncanny ability to choose the winning team has captured the attention of millions around the world.

A screenshot of Billy making his predictions, including for the Scotland vs Haiti match, during the 2026 World Cup.

Billy lives with his owners, Linka Lin, 33, and Mark Kelly, 35, in Newry, County Down. Throughout much of the tournament, he maintained an impressive streak, correctly predicting the winner of every non-draw match he was asked to choose. His method is surprisingly simple: before each game, Linka places two flags representing the competing teams in front of him. Billy then uses his paw to tap the flag of the team he believes will win. This straightforward approach has produced astonishingly accurate results, leading to 19 consecutive correct predictions, including Argentina’s recent victory over Austria.

As a cat, Billy doesn’t seem to be affected by the attention he’s receiving. “He doesn’t seem to be bothered that he’s an online influencer,” Linka said, as quoted by SWNS. “To us, he’s still our cat, still Billy.” She noted that as the tournament progressed, the pressure surrounding the predictions increased, but she remained confident in Billy’s ability to handle his growing fame.

Billy and his owners, Linka Lin and Mark Kelly. Photo by Instagram/@billy_heartnose

Linka adopted Billy from an animal rescue organization when he was just three months old. He earned the nickname “Billy Heartnose” due to a heart-shaped marking on his nose. According to Linka, Billy is highly intelligent and vocal, using different sounds and body language to communicate when he wants to go outside or receive a treat.

The prediction videos started by accident, when Linka initially filmed fun quizzes to see if Billy preferred Pepsi or Coca-Cola, or rice over noodles. When she brought home a collection of small flags just as the World Cup kicked off, they decided to test his sports intuition.

Linka said sometimes Billy makes decisions very quickly, but other times he thinks for quite a while. “There was one incident where the whole thing was interrupted as there was a fly in the house and he couldn’t concentrate,” she told SWNS.

Billy’s forecasts are shared on his Instagram handle, @billy_heartnose, which has amassed a large following. The majority of reactions have been positive. Even when Billy selects a team that viewers are betting against, they often leave lighthearted comments like, “I forgive you, you’re really cute.”

While his flawless streak finally ended on Thursday when South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 (he had chosen South Korea), Billy will continue predicting matches throughout the World Cup. His journey has not only entertained fans but also highlighted the unexpected ways in which animals can capture the imagination of people around the world.