England win predicted by 'Mystic Meerkats' at Drusillas Park

Drusillas Park’s “Mystic Meerkats” have predicted a semi-final win over Argentina and a place in the final—and they're yet to put a paw wrong during the entire World Cup run.

The football-forecasting meerkats have correctly called every England result so far, including their prediction that the team would overcome an early scare against DR Congo and battle past tough opponents like Mexico and Norway.

It's not the first time the meerkats have gained attention for their psychic abilities.

They first made headlines during the delayed Euros in 2021 and achieved near-legendary status at UEFA Euro 2024, accurately forecasting every England result through to the final.

Jacinta Dawe, zoo section leader at Drusillas Park, said: "The Mystic Meerkats prediction record this World Cup has been second to none.

"They've called every England result correctly so far, and they even seemed to predict that the Norway match would be tense, dramatic and hard work before England finally came through."

Their latest prediction was made in classic style, with two buckets placed in their enclosure - one marked with the England flag, the other with Argentina’s.

Each was filled with peas and sweetcorn, a meerkat favourite, and the bucket attracting the largest crowd would indicate the winner.

This time, Ms Dawe said, the choice was “one of our most convincing predictions.”

She said: "Apart from a few early peeks, the Argentina bucket was almost completely ignored while the England bucket attracted nearly all of the mob.

"It couldn't have been much clearer."

The meerkats’ antics didn’t end there.

For the first time during this tournament, they discovered a football in their enclosure and couldn’t resist having a go.

Ms Dawe said: "The funniest part was seeing them discover the football.

"A few of them climbed all over it, before one kicked it away from the buckets.

"They've definitely caught football fever, just like everyone here at Drusillas.

"Hopefully that's another good omen for Wednesday night."

If the Mystic Meerkats’ winning streak continues, England fans may have more to celebrate by the final whistle.

The meerkats’ predictions aren’t just fun - they’re part of a larger enrichment programme at the zoo.

Drusillas Park, located just off the A27 in Alfriston, is open daily from 10am.

For more information, call 01323 874100 or visit www.drusillas.co.uk.

Their prediction follows that of Sussex's favourite donkey, a tiny foal named Gervais who lives in Haywards Heath-based charity Safe Haven for Donkeys' sanctuary in Israel.

Gervais, named for comedian Ricky Gervais who donated £100,000 to the charity, correctly foresaw that England would beat Norway at Saturday's quarter-final.

The excitement at the zoo reflects the build-up across the country as England edge closer to another major final.

With the Mystic Meerkats behind them, all eyes will be on Thomas Tuchel's team to see if they can once again turn prediction into reality.

England will take on Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, with kick-off at 8pm.