Brazil's World Cup exit has fans saying, 'the cat curse lives on'

Brazil's latest World Cup heartbreak has done more than end another title dream; It has resurrected one of football's most bizarre internet theories: the infamous ‘Cat Curse’.

After suffering a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the five-time champions bowed out of the tournament far earlier than fans had hoped. As the final whistle blew, cameras caught Neymar overcome with emotion, lying on the turf in tears while Brazilian supporters watched another shot at a sixth star slip away.

But while football pundits debated tactics and missed chances, social media had a very different explanation.

Within minutes of Brazil's elimination, users across X and Instagram began resurrecting the ‘Cat Curse’, a tongue-in-cheek conspiracy theory that traces the team's misfortune back to a press conference during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

It all started when a stray cat casually leapt onto the media table during a press conference featuring Vincius Jr. Rather than gently ushering it away, Brazil's press officer picked up the cat and tossed it off the table.

Watch the video:

Although the cat landed on its feet and walked away unharmed, the clip quickly spread online, with many viewers criticising the treatment and calling it unnecessarily rough.

At the time, the incident became meme fodder. But after Brazil, then one of the favourites, were knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals, fans jokingly connected the two events.

Before long, the internet had christened it ‘The Cat Curse’, suggesting Brazil had invited bad luck by disrespecting the unexpected feline guest.

Four years later, the theory has found new life.

Following Brazil's defeat to Norway, countless posts declared that the curse was "still active," sharing side-by-side clips of the cat incident and Neymar's emotional exit. Others joked that Brazil would not lift another World Cup until the cat was "properly apologised to."

Of course, there is no evidence that a stray cat has anything to do with Brazil's football fortunes. The team's recent struggles have been attributed to inconsistent performances, tactical shortcomings and the pressure of living up to one of the richest legacies in world football.

Yet the internet has never let facts get in the way of a good story.

For many fans, the ‘Cat Curse’ has become less about superstition and more about symbolising Brazil's frustrating inability to recapture the free-flowing game that once made them the sport's most feared team.

Whether it's a tactical rebuild or a mythical feline hex, one thing is certain: until Brazil lifts the World Cup again, don't expect the cat conspiracy to disappear anytime soon.