Brazil's World Cup 2026 Exit Revives Online ‘Cat Curse’ Meme

Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing 2-1 to Norway. The defeat marked the team’s worst World Cup showing since 1990 and the first time in 36 years that Brazil failed to reach the quarter‑finals.

Following the loss, social‑media users revived the “cat curse” narrative that began after a stray cat was tossed from a press‑conference table in Doha during a 2022 press event. Fans and commentators linked the superstition to Brazil’s recent defeats, including the 2022 World Cup knockout by Croatia and now the 2026 loss. Neymar was reported to have hinted at retirement from the national side after the Norway match, adding to the sense of a broader crisis.

The story illustrates how a viral incident can become a recurring meme used to explain sporting setbacks.