Chelsea shirt numbers have accurately predicted the last three World Cups – and Morocco are next to win the trophy
(Image credit: Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
A TikTok has explained why Morocco will win the World Cup – thanks to a creepy conspiracy about Chelsea shirt numbers.
The user, @itsdaudbackup3, has posted a video that already has over 120,000 likes to the platform explaining how Morocco are set to win the World Cup, thanks to an odd coincidence involving Blues stars winning the World Cup – and what numbers they wear for their clubs.
Yes, this involves Hakim Ziyech – and the fact that he wears the No.22 at Stamford Bridge. It's the year, 2022. All seems fairly innocuous, so far, right?
Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea last year (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
So let's look to four years ago and the 2018 World Cup, in which France won the title.
Who wore the No.18 shirt in 2018, though? That's right. Olivier Giroud, who signed from Arsenal that very January for the west Londoners before going on to win the title with the French.
Olivier Giroud of Chelsea holds his new shirt at Chelsea Training Ground (Image credit: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
So let's go back even further, to 2014, when Germany were champions of the world in Brazil.
Back then, Chelsea star Andre Schurrle was part of Die Mannschaft's set-up, even assisting the winning goal in extra-time against Argentina. World Cup winner Schurrle's Blues squad number in 2014? Yep… 14.
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Andre Schurrle of Chelsea looks on during the Champions League match between Schalke 04 and Chelsea in 2014 (Image credit: Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Surely this coincidence couldn't wind all the way back to 2010, could it? Well, Chelsea didn't have a horse in the race 12 years ago. In 2011, however, they would sign World Cup winner Juan Mata from Valencia.
What number would they give the 2010 World Cup winner? Yep. You guessed it.
Juan Mata walks off the pitch after being substuted at Stamford Bridge in 2013. (Image credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Creepy, right? That's where the conspiracy ends, however, given that Chelsea never signed any of the 2006 Italy squad – missing out on the opportunity to give them a No.6 shirt.
So surely Morocco are shoo-ins for this tournament?
Well, unless they sell Hakim Ziyech – as they reportedly almost did in the summer to AC Milan – and sign a World Cup winner in January. We reckon the No.22 shirt would suit them, whoever they are…
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
