Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to win the only trophy has that eluded him when Portugal starts their Fifa World Cup campaign in North America.
Image: AFP
The Simpsons have never been wrong. At least, that is what the internet would have you believe.
Over the years, Springfield's favourite yellow family has supposedly predicted everything from Donald Trump's rise to the White House, smartwatches, and video calls to autocorrect mishaps and the cryptocurrency boom.
Whether pure coincidence, sharp satire, or sheer luck, the show's reputation as a crystal ball for monumental world events has become one of popular culture's greatest running jokes.
Which is exactly why I am backing Portugal to win the Fifa World Cup in 2026. Because The Simpsons said so.
The latest viral theory stems from a scene in a 1997 episode featuring a football match between Portugal and Mexico. Social media detectives have dusted off the vintage clip and transformed it into the latest Springfield prophecy, confidently claiming it points towards a Portuguese triumph at the next global showpiece.
Never mind that the episode itself never actually mentions the World Cup. Never mind that it certainly doesn't mention 2026. Those minor details are not important when you are dealing with Simpsons logic.
If history has taught us anything, it is that dismissing Matt Groening’s predictions can be a dangerous game. Back in 2000, a futuristic episode famously depicted Lisa Simpson becoming president after inheriting a massive budget crunch from Donald Trump. Sixteen years later, Trump was duly elected President of the United States. The show also imagined people making video calls long before Zoom became part of daily corporate life and featured smartwatch-style devices decades before they hit retail shelves.
Then there was the 1993 episode that appeared to predict the outbreak of a global, flu-like illness spreading from Asia, sending internet conspiracy theorists into overdrive during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many of these "predictions" are heavily exaggerated by the generous benefit of hindsight, they have only served to strengthen the show's legendary, oracle-like status. So, why not Portugal?
The Portuguese arrive at the 2026 World Cup boasting one of the most talented squads on the planet, including the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo They possess world-class stars across every single blade of grass, a fearless new generation ready to explode on the global stage, and the deep-rooted experience of competing in the business end of major tournaments.
More importantly, they have something that no other heavyweight contender in North America possesses: a Simpsons backing.
If the internet is right, the trophy is already on its way to Lisbon. And if the internet is wrong? Well, that is exactly what people said about all the other prophecies too.