A viral video circulating across social media has reignited debate over football superstitions after a Peruvian television programme staged a symbolic ritual claiming to have “removed the curse” placed on England captain Harry Kane following his goalless performance against Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The clip, which has attracted millions of views, shows presenters performing a traditional-style cleansing ritual around a life-sized image of Kane while displaying the Spanish caption, “Le quitamos la saladera a Harry Kane,” which translates to “We removed Harry Kane’s bad luck.” Join 15,000+ readers online now. Join our WhatsApp Daily News Channel for breaking updates.
The viral moment follows widespread publicity surrounding Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who publicly claimed before England’s World Cup clash with Ghana that he had spiritually prevented Kane from scoring. After the match ended 0-0, Bonsam later released another video saying he had “released” Kane from the alleged spell so he could score again in future matches.
International media, including Reuters, reported Bonsam’s claims, but there is no evidence that any supernatural act influenced the outcome of the match. Kane himself attributed his missed opportunity to the normal realities of football, noting that strikers sometimes miss chances despite their best efforts.
The Peruvian television segment appears to have been created as entertainment, reflecting how football folklore, superstition and humour often become part of major international tournaments. The video has nevertheless fuelled online conversations across Africa, Europe and Latin America, with fans divided between treating it as harmless fun and viewing it as a reflection of cultural beliefs surrounding football.
Football has long been associated with rituals, lucky charms and superstitions across many cultures. While such stories regularly capture headlines during international tournaments, coaches, players and football analysts generally maintain that matches are decided by preparation, tactics and performances on the pitch rather than supernatural forces.
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