The Simpsons Did Not Predict Algeria’s Qualification for the 2022 World Cup
The Claim
Algeria's qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was predicted by The Simpsons cartoon series.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts across the MENA region are sharing a screenshot from an episode of The Simpsons, claiming the show predicted Algeria's qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found that it was misleading, as the Simpsons series did not predict Algeria's World Cup qualification. The screenshot is from an old episode from 2010, which discusses the Winter Games that year rather than the World Cup soccer tournament.
The Simpsons Episode 12 of Season 21
The image is from a scene in episode 12 of season 21 of the show, in which the two main characters, Marge and Homer, compete in the sport of curling at the 2010 Winter Olympics. This shows that the episode was about the Winter Olympics and unrelated to the World Cup, as can be seen in the screenshot below.
Algeria Did Not Qualify for the 2022 World Cup
In the World Cup qualifiers, the Algerian team lost to its Cameroonian counterpart, by two goals to one, in the match that took place on March 29. This resulted in the exclusion of Algeria from participating in the World Cup Qatar 2022. In the same context, the Algerian Football Federation submitted an official complaint to the International Football Association (FIFA), regarding the refereeing performance of the Gambian match referee Bakari Gassama. They also demanded the opening of a comprehensive investigation regarding the referee, while insisting that the match be replayed. However, FIFA refused to replay the match, and the result of the March 29 match between the two teams was upheld.
According to the findings, The Simpsons did not predict Algeria qualifying for the World Cup because the show was about the Winter Olympics. Algeria, in any case, did not qualify for the World Cup.
Translated by Dina Faisal
