How a children's book seemingly predicted Ferran Torres' 2026 FIFA World Cup-winning goal for Spain

The book went viral for predicting a Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final—but it also appeared to foresee Ferran Torres scoring the goal that crowned Spain world champions. Here's the incredible story.

"It was all written." That's what Ferran Torres said after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup—and remarkably, it may have been.

The Spanish forward scored the extra-time winner against Argentina in the World Cup final, but what has stunned fans is that a children's book published before the tournament appeared to predict the moment.

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The incredible coincidence

The children's book The World's Game, released in the United States on June 2, 2026, has gone viral after readers noticed it correctly predicted a Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final, with La Roja lifting the trophy.

The book even features illustrations of Lionel Messi, Marc Cucurella and Lamine Yamal.

While the story predicted a 2-1 Spanish victory in regulation time, rather than the actual result, one illustration closely resembles the decisive goal. It shows Spain's No. 7 scoring the winner—a striking coincidence considering Ferran Torres wears that shirt.

The illustration depicts Torres finishing through the middle with Messi behind him, Nicolás Otamendi attempting to defend and goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez unable to stop the shot.

Not every detail matched reality. In the illustration by Andrés Landazábal, Torres scores with his right foot from outside the box, whereas the real goal came with his left foot from inside the penalty area after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro's cross back across goal. The goal also arrived in the 106th minute, rather than the 88th minute described in the book.

Was it really possible to predict?

Torres played an important super-sub role for head coach Luis de la Fuente throughout the tournament. He came off the bench in seven of Spain's eight matches, making his only start against Cape Verde in the group stage.

Before the World Cup, he faced criticism for starting—and captaining—Spain in friendlies against Egypt, Iraq and Peru.

In the final, Torres had struggled to make an impact, leading some fans to question his introduction, especially with midfielders Pedro Porro and Mikel Merino having enjoyed stronger attacking tournaments.

Instead, Torres became Spain's unlikely hero. He scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, and later had another effort ruled out for offside in the 113th minute.

His winner came after Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time, leaving Argentina focused on defending deep and hoping for a counterattack led by Messi, or eventually a penalty shootout.

Despite defensive changes from Lionel Scaloni, including the introductions of Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Marcos Senesi, along with Tagliafico and Dibu Martínez, Argentina could not prevent Torres from scoring his third FIFA World Cup goal, his first of the tournament and the biggest of his career.

The strike also erased the frustration of Nico Williams' disallowed goal in the 97th minute, a decision that sparked widespread debate.

What the book's creators said

Author Yamile Saied Méndez admitted she was stunned by the similarities.

"I was lucky enough to be at the stadium, and when the 88th minute passed without the goal being scored, I almost cried with relief. Then Ferrán scored, and it was unbelievable."

She explained that the final illustration was largely the work of illustrator Andrés Landazábal.

"He's the one people should interview if anyone has access to the future. That final illustration didn't include my text—it was his artistic interpretation."

Méndez also joked that she has already suggested updating the scoreline for the upcoming Spanish-language edition of the book.

Landazábal also reacted on Instagram, insisting the resemblance was nothing more than a coincidence.

"I didn't predict anything—it was simply a fun coincidence. I hope the best team wins and that football continues bringing people together. I'm just happy this made so many people smile."