England’s World Cup triumph finally proves The Simpsons wrong about football
England finally ended decades of hurt, lifting the World Cup and tearing up the famous forecast from The Simpsons.
So that long-running The Simpsons prediction about the World Cup? England just kicked dirt on it. A wild last-16 match torched weeks of internet theorizing and closed the book on a Mexico vs Portugal final that people had basically willed into existence. Reality, as usual, was messier and way more fun.
What actually happened in Mexico City
- England beat Mexico 3-2 in a ferocious World Cup last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium, which kills off the cartoon's dream final outright.
- Jude Bellingham scored twice early to hand Thomas Tuchel's side control, before Mexico clawed back with two penalties from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez.
- Harry Kane delivered the decisive third for England, booking a quarterfinal date with Norway.
- The bit most recaps missed: Jarell Quansah was sent off for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, leaving England to survive with 10 men.
- Bookmakers had the Mexico-Portugal finale priced at 45/1 before kickoff — a fun flutter, not a serious forecast.
- Because of a weather delay, the match kicked off at 2 a.m. in the UK, and pubs stayed open until 5 a.m. to ride it out.
- For extra trivia points: the cartoon version even threw in Pele as a guest. Not exactly replicable.
Why that Simpsons 'prophecy' fizzled
The bracket lined up just enough for people to convince themselves The Simpsons had nailed a Mexico vs Portugal final back in the day. Then you get a real match with early goals, two pressure penalties, a red card, and last-ditch defending — and the theory evaporates. England sent Mexico home, and with it went the meme. Sometimes the ball just refuses to obey a storyboard.
Meanwhile, Springfield is taking over summer 2027
While one prediction dies, the brand is very much alive on the movie side. The Simpsons 2 hits theaters on July 23, 2027 — and it is muscling into a prime weekend that used to belong to capes and multiverses. Disney quietly pulled an untitled Marvel title from that slot, which leaves a noticeable MCU breather between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Translation: Springfield is stepping into the big ring.
"The Simpsons 2 is officially in the works and set to release in theaters on July 23, 2027. The film has taken the place of an untitled Marvel project, which has been removed from the studio's schedule."
Context check: the first movie in 2007 made $536 million worldwide, and the series still does steady business on Disney+. The teaser poster is classic Homer — pink donut front and center, a wink of a tagline promising his return — but they are keeping plot details locked up. Fans are already combing the trailer for new 'predictions,' because of course they are. For now, Bellingham already rewrote one tiny slice of Simpsons lore all by himself.
What do you make of England popping that Springfield bubble? Drop your take below.