Which 'Predictions' Correctly Picked Spain to Win the World Cup?
In the buildup to the Final, social media was filled with 'predictions' about how the 2026 FIFA World Cup would end. Among theories, simulations and coincidences, only a few drew particular attention for naming Spain as the tournament champion, including a children's book and a popular video game.
In the buildup to the Final, social media was filled with 'predictions' about how the 2026 FIFA World Cup would end. Among theories, simulations and coincidences, only a few drew particular attention for naming Spain as the tournament champion, including a children's book and a popular video game.
The children's book that 'foreshadowed' Spain's title
A Spanish woman caused a stir on TikTok after showing a children's book she found at a bookstore in the United States.
The book, The World's Game, was published on June 2, before the start of the World Cup. It was written by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal.
What caught people's attention was that the story features a Final between Spain and Argentina, the same matchup that ultimately decided the 2026 World Cup champion.
The book also includes illustrations of players who closely resemble Lionel Messi and Marc Cucurella.
According to the story, Argentina takes the lead, but Luis de la Fuente's team stages a comeback in the closing minutes to become world champion.
The coincidence turned the book into one of the most discussed topics on social media ahead of the Final.
The video game that also backed Spain
Another 'prediction' that regained attention was EA's traditional simulation released before each World Cup.
This time, the video game projected Spain to win the title, although it featured a different Final, with La Roja facing England.
The simulation stood out because the game had correctly picked the champion in the previous four World Cups: Spain in 2010, Germany in 2014, France in 2018 and Argentina in 2022.
The 'predictions' that generated the most discussion
Both the children's book and the video game attracted attention because of their similarities to the outcome of the 2026 World Cup. The two cases became widely discussed among fans and added to the fascination surrounding the unusual coincidences that often emerge during every edition of the tournament.
