Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever has turned to an unlikely political advisor for World Cup predictions: his rescue cat, Maximus Textoris Pulcher. The feline has taken on the role of successor to Paul the Octopus, the famous marine animal who gained international attention in 2010 for predicting match outcomes with surprising accuracy during that year's World Cup.

Maximus operates using a simple methodology familiar to anyone who has watched animals choose between options: the cat approaches one of three dishes placed before him, each presumably representing a different match outcome. De Wever's office has promoted these predictions as a form of public engagement, with Maximus gaining an Instagram following that now exceeds the prime minister's own social media presence.

The system faced its first test during Belgium's opening match against Egypt in the 2026 World Cup. Maximus selected a dish indicating Belgian victory, but the match concluded in a draw, marking the first unsuccessful prediction of what De Wever's team had hoped would become a successful run similar to Paul's eight correct predictions in 2010.

For Sunday's match against Iran, Maximus again selected the dish corresponding to a Belgian win. The outcome remained pending at time of publication.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive observers have largely embraced the cat prediction tradition as harmless entertainment during an international sporting event. Supporters argue that De Wever's use of his personal pet for public engagement humanizes political leadership and provides a lighthearted distraction from more serious policy debates facing Belgium and Europe broadly.

"People need moments of levity," said one Brussels-based political commentator who covers Belgian domestic affairs. "If the prime minister's cat brings some joy during a major tournament, that's not a bad thing."

Critics on the left have taken a more measured view, suggesting that while the predictions are entertaining, they represent a distraction from substantive policy discussions. Some progressive commentators have noted that public attention to cat predictions could potentially divert media coverage from issues such as Belgium's position on EU economic policy or immigration debates currently unfolding in parliament.

"There are real policy challenges facing Belgian families right now," one center-left opinion piece noted. "A cat choosing between dishes isn't going to solve any of them."

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative voices have largely celebrated Maximus as a successful example of political communication and public relations strategy. Supporters argue that De Wever's willingness to engage in lighter fare with voters demonstrates approachability and modern political engagement.

"This is exactly what social media-era politics should look like," said one center-right political strategist based in Antwerp. "The prime minister isn't hiding from the public — he's involving them in something fun during a major sporting event."

Some conservative commentators have drawn parallels to Paul the Octopus, noting that Germany benefited internationally from Paul's predictions in 2010. These observers suggest Belgium could similarly benefit from international media attention through Maximus's predictions, regardless of their accuracy.

"Whether the cat predicts correctly or not, Belgium is getting positive international coverage," one commentator wrote. "That's valuable soft power."

Skeptics on the right have cautioned against placing too much emphasis on animal predictions, arguing that political leaders should maintain focus on governance even during major sporting tournaments. However, these voices remain in the minority among conservative commentators covering Belgian politics.

What the Numbers Show

Maximus Textoris Pulcher has made two documented match predictions through June 21, 2026. Of those predictions, zero have correctly anticipated the actual match outcome — a 0-for-1 record on verified matches with one prediction still pending.

Paul the Octopus, during the 2010 World Cup, achieved an accuracy rate of approximately 86 percent, correctly predicting eight out of nine match outcomes including the final between Spain and the Netherlands. Paul's predictions covered Germany's matches plus the final.

The Instagram account documenting Maximus has accumulated more followers than De Wever's official social media presence, representing a notable gap in digital engagement between the prime minister and his feline companion.

Belgium's national team entered the 2026 World Cup ranked outside the top 10 FIFA rankings among participating nations. The draw against Egypt represented an opening match result consistent with Belgium's recent competitive form in international tournaments.

The Bottom Line

Maximus Textoris Pulcher represents a continuation of a cultural tradition dating to 2010, when animal predictions became a notable part of World Cup media coverage. Prime Minister De Wever has embraced this tradition while also gaining significant public attention for himself and his administration through his pet's social media presence.

The accuracy question remains unresolved — one prediction missed, one pending at publication time. Whether Maximus proves more reliable than Paul the Octopus will depend on outcomes of upcoming matches should Belgium advance.

For De Wever, the cat predictions offer a sustained presence in international media coverage during a period when many political leaders struggle to maintain public attention outside of crisis moments. The approach represents a calculated bet that lighthearted engagement can coexist with serious governance responsibilities.