Paul the octopus joins England World Cup bid

London, Aug 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Paul the psychic octopus, who became a sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of eight World Cup matches, has become an official ambassador for England’s bid to host the event in 2018, the bid team said Friday.

Paul, who lives in an aquarium in Oberhausen in western Germany, guessed the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has limbs - all seven of Germany’s games plus the Spain-Netherlands final.

He hatched at Weymouth Sea Life Centre in Dorset in 2008. “Paul has spent two years of his life in Germany, but he is definitely a proud Englishman,” said Nicola Hamilton, the centre’s manager. “We have had a number of football approaches from around the world, but Paul was only ever going to choose his homeland.”

Paul, who retired from the official oracle business after the World Cup in South Africa, has joined the list of celebrities supporting the 2018 bid that includes England player David Beckham, Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton, and musicians Noel Gallagher and Sting.

England is competing with Russia, the US, Australia, and joint bids from Spain and Portugal, and Holland and Belgium for the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

FIFA will announce the winning bids for 2018 and 2022 tournaments Dec 2.

–IANS/RIA Novosti