The long-standing belief that the animated series The Simpsons has a supernatural ability to forecast the future has become a notable element of modern pop culture. The show is frequently credited with predicting major historical moments, including Donald Trump’s presidency, the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, and the controversy surrounding the censorship of Michelangelo’s David. Earlier this year, social media users also shared viral content alleging that the series had warned audiences about Epstein Island as far back as 2000.
Currently, a new viral narrative is circulating on various social platforms claiming that The Simpsons accurately predicted the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup within a 1997 episode titled “The Cartridge Family.” In that Season 9 installment, a television advertisement showcases a football match—referred to as “soccer”—to decide “which nation is the greatest on Earth.” The sequence depicts a game between Mexico and Portugal.
While many internet users have embraced this clip as further proof of the show’s uncanny predictive accuracy, the claim is factually incorrect. The segment in the 1997 episode contains no mention of the year 2026, nor does it make any reference to the FIFA World Cup. This specific claim regarding “The Cartridge Family” also appeared during both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The theory has gained traction again this year simply because Mexico is serving as one of the host nations for the tournament and the current tournament structure could theoretically lead to a final match between the two countries.
Furthermore, there is no truth to online assertions that the episode references Cristiano Ronaldo. When the episode originally aired, Ronaldo was only 12 years old. To clarify the context, the match portrayed in the episode is so dull that the audience in Springfield ultimately resorts to rioting, and no actual winner is shown. The official 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 19 July, at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, New Jersey.
