A children’s picture book has ended up becoming one of the most talked-about pre-FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions, as social media users came out with claims that it supposedly “predicted” a Spain vs. Argentina showdown and even Spain’s victory—by a score of 2-1.
A TikTok video originally sparked the viral discussion about The World’s Game, a football-themed book that was recently published by Argentine author Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrator Andrés Landazábal. The colorful story includes friends and families watching Spain and Argentina battle it out on the big screen while enjoying the passion, competition, and unity that football brings.
The fan frenzy has come after an illustration that is said to have depicted Spain beating Argentina 2-1, the same game in which they are now preparing to play the biggest game of the tournament. Users of social media soon shared a description of the scene, suggesting it might be a children’s book World Cup prediction, and even questioned whether the fictional outcome could be true.
But the viral claim should be seen as an interesting oddity and not a sure thing. The World’s Game was not designed to predict the 2026 tournament, but rather to celebrate the international game of football and its power to bring people together.
Nonetheless, the scene could not be more dramatic. On Sunday (July 19), Spain and defending champion Argentina will compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York/New Jersey Stadium. It will end as the 104th and final game of the enlarged tournament and will be one country that will take home the world’s greatest football trophy! The
Drama is about to take another turn for the worse: before the big match, supporters had another “prophecy” to consider, this time of Argentina beating Spain in an old social media post.
Will Spain finish the script for the book that is supposedly 2-1, or will Argentina rewrite the ending and hold on to their crown?
There’s one thing we know for sure: the Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final has everything that’s required for a classic: football superstars, history, superstition, viral predictions, and global drama.
