Claim: A video shows a cat invading the field and scoring a goal during a 2022 FIFA World Cup match in Qatar.
Fact: The clip is not real. The cat’s guardian confirmed to Soch Fact Check that they edited and created the footage in 2019.
On 16 December 2022, Facebook page ‘ʙᴀʏᴇᴢɪᴅ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ᴠʟᴏɢ’ posted a video showing a cat invading the pitch during a 2022 FIFA World Cup match in Qatar. Multiple people believed the claim to be true and the clip gained over 4,200 views.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check found through reverse image search tools that the YouTube channel, OwlKitty, had posted the original video three years ago, on 4 February 2019, where it gained more than 16 million views.
We reached out to the channel through email to inquire about the viral video. The cat’s guardian and owner of the channel confirmed to Soch Fact Check that they edited and created the footage in 2019.
“Yes the video is 100% edited, thank you for asking. I do not have working files showing behind the scenes footage, but I guarantee you, it’s all fake:) my cat has never been on a football field,” OwlKitty told Soch Fact Check.
OwlKitty has hundreds of thousands of fans, followers, and subscribers on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The cat’s guardian also uploaded a behind-the-scenes video giving a glimpse into how they create the viral clips.
Virality
Soch Fact Check found the misleading clip here, here, here, here, and here as original videos on Facebook, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here as Facebook Reels, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here on TikTok, and here on YouTube.
Conclusion: The clip is edited, as confirmed by the guardian of the cat, whose name is OwlKitty.
Background image in cover photo: OwlKitty