What is octopus in football?

Octopus in football refers to Paul the Octopus, a common octopus who became famous for correctly predicting the outcome of several matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Paul gained international fame as a "psychic" octopus for accurately predicting the winners of all of Germany's matches, as well as the final between Spain and the Netherlands.

Paul would choose between two boxes containing food that were marked with the flags of the competing teams. Whichever box Paul opened first was considered his prediction for the match. His predictions were often featured on television broadcasts and in newspapers, and he became a popular meme and cultural icon during the World Cup.

Despite his passing in October 2010, Paul the Octopus remains a well-known figure in the world of football and is often cited in discussions about the supernatural and unexplainable in sports.