A Brazilian man who calls himself the “Living Nostradamus” says two of his predictions for 2026 have already come true and is now pointing to what he describes as his most alarming forecast: a potential military confrontation between Russia and NATO in the Arctic Circle.
Athos Salomé, 39, from Brazil, published a list of 10 predictions in December 2025. He now claims credit for foreseeing the conflict between Iran and Israel and Spain’s victory at the World Cup.
The Arctic Warning
Salomé told Tyla that the Arctic region could become increasingly dangerous as melting ice opens new shipping routes and access to valuable energy reserves. He says those conditions are intensifying a struggle for control of the region.
His December forecast came before NATO launched its Arctic Sentry operation and before reports that Russia was moving missile systems into strategic locations across the region. Russia has since continued expanding its military presence in the Arctic while NATO has been deploying thousands more troops there. Salomé believes those developments have increased the risk of a confrontation during this year’s ice melt.
Claimed Hits
One of Salomé’s December predictions warned that tensions in the Middle East would reach a critical point during the second quarter of 2026, driven by disputes over Iran’s uranium enrichment program. He now says the conflict between Iran and Israel fulfilled that forecast.
He has also taken credit for Spain’s World Cup victory after predicting that the winning country would wear colors associated with fire. His original prediction, however, listed several possible winners including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Morocco, Argentina and England. After Spain defeated Argentina 1-0, Salomé said the result matched his forecast because he had previously identified Spain as the most likely champion.
Other Forecasts
Salomé also identified Africa’s Sahel region as a potential flashpoint, warning that extremist groups in northern Niger could draw rival powers into an indirect struggle for influence following the withdrawal of Western troops.
Among his broader predictions for 2026, Salomé forecast that the war between Russia and Ukraine would remain locked in a prolonged stalemate with neither side agreeing to a formal peace treaty. He warned European countries to remain vigilant, saying efforts to rebuild damaged areas could be disrupted by further attacks.
In East Asia, he predicted mounting tensions between China and Taiwan would stop short of a full-scale invasion but develop into a drawn-out campaign involving blockades, cyberattacks, financial pressure and disruption to semiconductor supplies.
Salomé also forecast cyberattacks targeting energy, water and communications infrastructure in major cities across North America and Western Europe, and warned that major events including the World Cup could become targets for hackers. On public health, he predicted further outbreaks of bird flu, dengue and mpox. He also forecast increased concern over artificial intelligence, including deepfakes and financial scams, forcing governments to accelerate regulation.
Salomé said he develops his forecasts by combining symbolic analysis, long-term global patterns and his study of Kabbalah, an ancient Jewish mystical tradition. He acknowledged that his methods are not foolproof and described his predictions as interpretations rather than certainties.
