A viral social media claim is fueling fresh speculation that 'The Simpsons' predicted the 2026 FIFA World Cup final nearly three decades ago. Fans have pointed to the 1997 episode 'The Cartridge Family,' in which a television commercial promotes a fictional soccer match between Mexico and Portugal to determine "which nation is the greatest on Earth."
The clip has led some users to speculate that the episode correctly foresaw this year's championship matchup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Both Portugal and Mexico are still in the tournament, lending more credibility to the 'prediction.' But until the finalists are decided, this prediction remains just another unverified fan theory.
Indeed, 'The Cartridge Family' is far from the only episode of the show that fans believe predicted the future. Ever since its premiere in 1989, the iconic animated series has featured many scenarios that later manifested in real life.
So, what else did the show predict? Check out this gallery for the times 'The Simpsons' predicted the future!