England 2018 officially unveil Paul the Octopus as ambassador

By Andrew Warshaw

August 20 – Paul the Octopus, who became internationally famous for correctly predicting results during the World Cup, has become the latest global figure to back England’s bid to host the 2018 tournament – though this time as an ambassador, as reported first on insideworldfootball last month.

The two-year-old oracle, said to have psychic powers after predicting all of Germany’s six World Cup games and that Spain would win the final, is pledging his allegiance to his homeland after being signed up by England for the remainder of the 2018 campaign.

Although based in Germany, Paul was born at a Sea Life Centre in Weymouth, England, and 2018 marketeers have been quick to capitalise on the creature’s popularity.

The announcement comes just a few days before FIFA’s World Cup inspection team arrives in England for arguably the country’s most pivotal period in the campaign to date.

Sea Life centre manager Nicola Hamilton said: “Paul has spent the last two years of his life in Germany, but he is definitely a proud Englishman and is therefore delighted to put his support behind England 2018.

“We have had a number of football approaches from around the world but Paul was only ever going to choose his homeland.

“With his predicting days behind him Paul is now concentrating on a number of new projects and the England 2018 campaign is something we are sure he feels passionately about. Becoming an official ambassador for the Bid is an honour for Paul and everyone at the Sea Life Centre.”

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