The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

by Angela Cervantes

From Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and perfectly timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy follows 12-year-old sleuth Diez Espada on a high-stakes case as he tracks down the tournament's stolen trophy in time for the championship match.

“Humor, heart, and fútbol... everything a middle grade mystery should be.” –Chris Grabenstein, New York Times-bestselling author of the Lemoncello series

Diez Espada—named after the jersey number of his soccer-obsessed father’s favorite player, Lionel Messi—would rather be chasing clues than soccer balls. When the World Cup trophy disappears at a glitzy party in Miami, he’s suddenly at the center of the most thrilling match of his life—a race to find the trophy before it’s gone for good.

Teaming up with his crush, Rio, and the world-famous Detective Enzo, Diez dives headfirst into a one-night whirlwind of secret tunnels and a squad of suspicious a spoiled son of a Miami tycoon, a famous sportscaster, and even Rio's two prankster younger brothers.

The clock is ticking, the suspects are slippery, and the stadium lights are ready to shine. Will Diez find the trophy in time for the World Cup championship match?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Sports, Soccer, Fiction, Childrens, Death

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Angela Cervantes is the award-winning author of several popular children's novels including Lety Out Loud, which won the Pura Belpré Honor Award in 2020.

Her other novels include The Cursed Moon, which won Florida's Sunshine State Young Readers Award. Angela's other middle grade novels include the Frida Kahlo-inspired mystery, Me, Frida and The Secret of the Peacock Ring; Allie, First At Last; and Gaby, Lost and Found.

Her latest children’s novel is Anomalies 53: Into the Shadows which is book 1 of a two-book series published by Harper Collins.

Additionally, Angela authored the junior novelization for Disney/Pixar's animated-film, Coco and Disney's animated film, Encanto. She also collaborated with American Girl Dolls for the novel Maritza: Lead With Your Heart.

Angela’s short stories have been featured in Chicken Soup for The Latino Soul and the Young Adult anthology Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America.

Angela is a daughter of a retired elementary-school teacher who instilled in her a love for reading and storytelling. Angela writes from her home in Kansas City. When she's not writing, Angela enjoys reading, running, gazing up at clouds, and taking advantage of Taco Tuesdays.

To learn more about Angela and her books, visit her website at angelacervantes.com.

Reviews

[ceci viana · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute. i should read more children’s books. it’s like a spa for my brain.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect middle grade mystery!

[Beth Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there's anything that sixth grader Diez loves more than fútbol, it's solving mysteries! When the World Cup trophy comes to Miami, he's thrilled to be invited by his friend Rio to a fancy gala where he and his dad will get to see it in person. But then the trophy is stolen. Luckily the famous Detective Enzo is in attendance and on the case -- and Diez is ready to assist. This locked-door mystery for middle graders is loosely based in history; in the 1960s, the World Cup trophy was stolen and later recovered by a dog named Pickles.

Mysteries aren't really my genre, but there were a couple things I really liked. The richness of the Latine culture (including the occasional Spanish phrase sprinkled in) is a welcome addition to a public, school, or home library looking to diversify their collection. And I appreciated Diez's depth of character as he pays tribute to his late mystery-loving mom through his sleuthing. Great message about relying on friends and teammates.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes is a fast-paced, upper-middle-grade mystery that seamlessly blends sports, history, and a classic "whodunit" atmosphere. From the opening scene, featuring a chase involving a culprit in a lobster costume, the book hooks readers immediately.

This book is a solid recommendation for students who might prefer playing sports over reading. It’s clue-oriented and features fun cameos by icons like Beckham and Messi. I loved the quirky cast of characters and the Agatha Christie-inspired feel of the investigation. Diez is a fantastic protagonist. He is observant, sharp, and constantly sees things the police miss.

Having read both the English and Spanish editions, I have to give major props to translator Abel Berriz. The translations felt natural and authentic, incorporating cultural colloquialisms that never felt forced. It’s a great example of how a translation can preserve a story's soul.

The references to Scooby-Doo, Agatha Christie, and Only Murders in the Building were delightful nods for mystery fans. The book also includes fascinating real-world FIFA history, specifically the true story of the Jules Rimet Trophy being stolen and recovered by a dog! Cervantes uses these bits of history to build a world that kids will absolutely clamor to learn more about.

While I’m generally not a fan of the "dead parent" trope, Diez’s connection to his late mother through his love of books and his investigations was handled with care. The plot keeps you guessing; even with two suspects in mind, the twist at the end genuinely surprised me. With hints of more adventures for Diez and Rio, this feels like the start of a fantastic new series.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/10/2026 Rough start but definitely got better towards the end (until the author declared her EPL allegiance lololololol.) Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

6/11/2026 Men's World Cup season has officially begun! Ever since 1998, this has been THE most exciting global sporting event for me, and even tho this year's promises to be the worst run and most corrupt tournament of all time, not even that can dampen my love of the sport and the community who actually care about the beautiful game.

With that in mind, I was super happy to dive into Angela Cervantes' The Mystery of The Stolen World Cup Trophy as part of my preparations/celebrations. I am very pro anything that spreads the joy of the tournament to as many people as possible, and am still a little bitter at all the years I missed out on of this in my youth. This middle grade mystery series definitely transmits that excitement and hopefully entices more than a few bookish kids into finding out more about the beautiful game. Conversely, I hope it also introduces some sports-mad kids to the joys of a good mystery novel, which this definitely is (tho not without certain reservations that I'll discuss later in this review.)

The story itself revolves around sixth grader Diez Espada, who's inherited his love of football -- tho not, unfortunately, commensurate skill -- from his dad and his love of detection from his recently deceased librarian mom. When he and his dad receive exclusive tickets to a party where the actual World Cup trophy will be displayed in Miami, ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, it feels like a dream come true.

Disaster strikes, however, when the trophy is stolen by the international thief known as La Lechuza. Diez is certain that he'll be able to figure out whodunnit and get the trophy back, with the help of his crush Rio and the actual detective on the case, the world-famous Detective Enzo. But there'll be more than one tricky conundrum in his path as he figures out how to navigate a surprisingly treacherous field.

I'll freely admit that I found the opening of this book pretty rough, as both an Arsenal fan and as a female fan of the game. I get that the author wants to draw in the kids engaged in the seemingly perpetual question of who's the Greatest Of All Time, CR7 or Messi, but they're both terrible people who don't deserve to be idolized in this way. Messi might have won more awards, but he's also a whiny bitch of a player who constantly plays up to the ref. CR7 might be more my style of player, but he's also an admitted rapist, and just looking at him makes me sick. Both players are happy to toady up to fascist-leaning politicians, so quite frankly they can both go to hell.

Also, the ONLY answer to the question of which football player is the Greatest Of All Time is Pele. Duh. And the book does acknowledge this but says he's "one" of the GOATs, like, girl, please.

Speaking of girls, I'm hoping that Diez' cluelessness about how his school's girls' team is treated in comparison to the boys' was the author's way of opening readers' eyes to the discrimination that the women's game has historically received and continues to experience. It has gotten really hard for me to support the USWNT after the absolutely shitty display of Ugly Americanism at the 2019 Women's World Cup (that team went downhill in class after Abby Wambach retired) but I do give props to them for fighting for equal pay and recognition, thereby lowering barriers worldwide.

Lol, my reviews of football-related books always turn into axe-grinding sessions, but I really do recommend this as a mystery kids can get into. Part of the whodunnit is pretty obvious, but it definitely gets more interesting and twisty as the book progresses, with a lot of cool football info included. I especially admired the ways in which Diez applied the lessons he'd learned on the pitch to problem-solving. Plus, Declan Reed? If that isn't grudging homage from a plastic (iykyk) to my kids' future stepdad Declan Rice, then I owe Ms Cervantes a beer, lol. Actually, I'd buy her a beer just for her prediction that Messi won't actually make it to the final as anything but a spectator, lol.

The kickoff whistle just blew! See you on the other side of the tourney, everyone!

The Mystery Of The Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes was published May 5 2026 and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sixth grader Diez Espada lives with his dad, Jaime, in Miami, Florida. His mother, who was a librarian, died of cancer not too long ago. While Diez's father wants him to be a soccer star, he's not very good, and he would rather read classic detective novels and solve mysteries like the famous Enzo. When he thinks he has solved the mystery of who stole the lobster mascot costume at his school, the big reveal doesn't go well. The thief was the glamourous and wealthy eighth grader, Rio Salvatierra, whose stepfather, Dale Ullman, is a billionaire real estate developer. Rio broke Diez's phone because it contained evidence, and one of her bodyguards has taken it, but she comes to his house to apologize and offer him tickets to an exclusive World Cup party at the Las Palmas resort where his father is a valet. Ullman has gotten permission to display the World Cup trophy, and it's rumored that Messi himself might attend the party, so the Espadas are very excited. When the trophy is stolen after the mights go out at the unveiling, Diez is ready to investigate. There is a bird who repeatedly says "they'll never get away with it", a poodle, Rio's rambunctious twin brothers, and a horrible storm to deal with, but Diez is prepared to deal with all of these problems. Detective Enzo shows up, and since he once met Diez's mother, he really wants to impress him. It looks like the theft is the work of the famous La Lechuza (The Owl), who also stole a trophy in 1983, but is the thief someone closer to home? Will Diez be able to solve the mystery with Rio's help?
Strengths: Have to love any book that references Scooby-Doo mysteries when it the same sort of mystery with evil villains and kids saving the day, even if the poodle doesn't get as much page time as it should have! This was a quick, clue oriented mystery, and having Diez and Rio work together was fun. Diez is observant, and manages to see things that the police don't, and does end up saving the day. The inclusion of some FIFA history and other instances of a World Cup trophy being stolen are interesting. Las Palmas is a fun setting, even though it doesn't seem to be a real place. This definitely had an Agatha Christie feel to it, with a quirky cast of characters. It seems like it might be the first book in the series.
Weaknesses: I'm never a fan of the dead parents trope, but at least Diez's dad is coping better than most, and Diez throws himself into investigating as a way to remember his mother. I was a little confused by the mother's job; she's described as a school librarian, but also ran a book discussion group for adults and had a bookmobile project, which made it seem more likely that she worked at a public library before her death. I read the ARC, so perhaps this will be changed in the finished edition.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Ponti's The Sherlock Society or Liu's somewhat similar Stealing the Score (2/3/26).

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here comes a sleuthing middle grade read written by Angela Cervantes: "El misterio de la Copa del Mundo robada", translated by Abel Berriz.

Young Diez (translated to number 10, named after his father's favorite soccer player jersey number) gets caught up in a mystery of a lifetime. The World Cup goes missing and he's given the opportunity to help world-famous Detective Enzo to find it.

What's even better though is Diez's crush, Rio, works on this case with him as well. Will the trio be able to find the trophy before the championship begins?

I have decided to write this review in English, rather than its translated language Spanish. However, I did read the book in Spanish, and it was a treat to do so! Any opportunity I can get to practice my own Spanish, I take it!

One of my favorite aspects of the book was how "middle school" it was. From the way Diez spoke to the way he acted toward his crush was perfect. There were a few cringy, middle school moments and it felt true to the age. This helped me remember that I do not miss those days!

I also felt the inclusion of Diez's deceased mother was a nice emotional touch. Some children at his age have lost someone special in their lives, or will in the future. This makes Diez's thoughts, feelings, and reasoning for doing certain things relatable and brings more empathy toward the story and his character.

The plot kept moving forward and kept me captivated most of the time. There were moments where my interest dwindled a bit, but the ending was a fun one.

Themes of friendship, light grief, father-son relationship, and using clues to solve a mystery were prevalent within the story.

Content Warnings: The topic of a deceased parent is referenced multiple times.

Overall, I thought "El misterio de la Copa del Mundo robada" was a fun middle grade read! I happily rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to middle schoolers who enjoy sleuthing books and do not mind when the protagonist mentions the loss of a parent.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks), and the author for giving me the opportunity to read "El misterio de la Copa del Mundo robada". All opinions are my own.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleuthing takes on a fun, soccer twist in this entertaining read.

Diez enjoys two things...well, mostly one since his father is, actually, the soccer fan: sleuthing. Diez is great at seeing details and connections others miss, and he's about to prove how talented he is by revealing the thief of the school's mascot costume. Unfortunately, the big reveal isn't what he'd hoped, and he ends up tricked by the true culprit, a rich girl name Rio. Since this leads him to more trouble than he deserves, Rio's guilt gets the better of her. To make up for it, she invites him to attend a World Cup Party with her, where his dad's favorite player is said to make an appearance right along with the real World Cup trophy. Unexpectedly, the trophy goes missing. Diez is ready to take on this new case with Rio at his side, but it might be more than he can handle.

This is a quick-paced read with lots of surprises, some quirky moments, and clues galore. Diez makes mention of Scooby-Doo, which fits thanks to the characters involved. After all, Diez has to deal with a bird and a poodle, too. In other words, the author mixes in light-hearted moments to keep everything interesting and boredom far away. The clues aren't easy to piece together but make sense, and it's fun to see Diez catch things the police overlook. His insights are clever and, yet, very fitting to the age group. Add friendship and whispers of first crushes, and there's heart as well. On the family end, Diez and his father still suffer a bit after the loss of the mother several years before...something I'm not a huge fan of, at the moment, due to the large amount of reads using that plot direction during the last year or so. But it works fine and isn't overplayed, either.

It's a fun read, especially with the World Cup sneaking up on us soon, and soccer fans are sure to enjoy it at anytime. The author does weave in some facts on this end, which adds a little knowledge richness as well. All in all, it's a fun mystery with many surprises and twists, and keeps the pages turning until the end.

[Lauren Bayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid middle grade mystery, perfect for readers who would rather play sports than read. This one isn't too long, it has some good twists, and it is about a subject that students will absolutely LOVE. There is a lot of World Cup history in here, and I just know that kids are going to clamor for more information! From the start, with Diez chasing down a culprit in a lobster costume, kids will be hooked.

My main concern with this book is the fact that it will so easily become dated. This book is written specifically for the 2026 World Cup, and there are a few references to 2026. While kids today will eat it up, libraries may be cautious that this book likely won't have a ton of appeal in 2027 and beyond. There are other things that gave me pause with this book, like Rio's friendship with Diez and an oddly-developed friendship with Declan, but there is enough goodness here. Long story short, I would buy this in a bookstore for my kid but not necessarily for my students in a library, if that makes sense?

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book!

I am not a big sports fan, so I guess someone might have negative things to say about the soccer stars mentioned in this book but I don't know anything about that so my rating is based on the writing.

This book has humor, cleverness, interesting characters and plenty of unique twists and turns that keep.the reader involved until the very end.

The first chapter, called A Boy Named Ten, introduces a 6th grade boy named Diez. He explains that he's named after Lionel Messi, the fútbol superstar and that Does is glad he wasn't named another number like diecinueve. Lol!

There's a girl named Rio... an older girl. A pretty girl.

A parrot that squawks clues.

Ferraris and Aston Martins.

Plus soccer and World Cup trivia.

It's June 2026 and the world has World Cup fever. This book is timely and great. Highly recommended for kids age 10+.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun upper middle grade mystery that will also appeal to sports fans with cameo appearances by famous footballers like Beckham and Messi. I loved that Diez's mother was a librarian and that Cervantes includes references to Agatha Christy and Only Murders in the Building. I also enjoyed learning about the previous World Cup trophy that was twice stolen, once recovered by a dog, and the second time, never recovered. I had two strong suspects in mind for the theft in this book, but was ultimately surprised by a twist at the end. The book wraps up loose ends and leaves the hint that there could be more mysteries for Diez and Rio to solve. I certainly hope so.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diez loves mysteries, especially because his late mom also loved them. When he is invited to a World Cup party by his crush, Rio, he is thrilled. However, once there, the World Cup Trophy is stolen in a brazen heist. The hotel gets locked down because of a storm, and Diez and Rio team up to try to find the culprit.

Overall, this was a fun read! I didn't think the whodunnit was wildly surprising, but I am also an adult, not the target market for this book. Regardless, it was still a fun read. It was also pretty quick, so I think the pacing was good, especially for middle grade.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sports mystery story! It felt current with sports references that many readers will recognize, and also mysteries (Scooby-Doo) that are also recognizable. I loved the character of Diez. He felt very genuine and was written with a full range of emotions. His dad didn't seem as attentive as I would have wanted, but that was a writing choice in order to allow the story to progress.

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute soccer-history-filled mystery. I am left confused by who the exact audience is. Reviews have it as 3rd-7th, but it's a firm upper elementary. Except... 4th-6th grade doesn't feel quite right either. The nods to mystery greats are too high for 4th, the complexity too low for 6th. Perfect for this FIFA summer, but not sure if my kids in this sweet spot will still be into the World Cup by the time school starts in September.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a pre-release copy of this book at NTTBF. It is about a couple of kids who are at a party where the World Cup trophy gets stolen. There is a famous detective that is there to solve the crime, but he won't be able to do it without the help of the kids. I suspect most elementary kids, middle school kids who are into soccer will enjoy this book.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulling off a middle grade mystery in 225 pages is no easy feat, and Cervantes does just that in this timely soccer-themed heist. Perfect for readers excited about the World Cup and steeped in soccer lore - they will love all the details. But any mystery lover will appreciate the twists and turns this story takes. Well done!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so cool to read this fun middle grade sports mystery during the 2026 World Cup. It’s even better that the book is by a fellow Kansan who loves the KC Current women’s soccer team. I also recommend another of Cervantes’ mysteries-Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring. I definitely plan to add this book to my middle school library.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written, tightly paced, humorous middle grade mystery. This mystery is a throwback to the great mysteries of the past and acknowledges the same. What a fun ride! And just in time for the World Cup. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher. Pub date 5/5/26.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just finished this book on a road trip. I read it out loud to my kids ranging in age from 12-6. They ALL were so invested and enjoyed the story from beginning to end. I highly recommend picking this one up for all the soccer fans in your life!

Themes include sports, mystery, love and loss.

[Lois Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete RTC.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World Cup trophy is missing and one young detective is racing against the clock to find it.
⚽️
Twelve-year-old Diez Espada would much rather solve mysteries than play soccer, but when the World Cup trophy is stolen just before the championship match, he finds himself on the biggest case of his life. With the help of his crush Rio and a famous detective, Diez races through Miami following clues, dodging suspects, and uncovering secrets in a desperate attempt to recover the trophy before kickoff.
🔎
When @angelacervantes_author book talked her upcoming middle grade book at TLA’s Texas Tea she did such an amazing job—even bringing her own World Cup replica to draw readers in. I was able to grab an advanced readers copy of it at the Exhibit Hall, devoured it and saved the review to post today. Happy World Cup Day! This is the perfect read for the next few weeks and hopefully will be a new series!
.
CW: theft, grief, parental death, misogyny

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute, but very predictable and somewhat childish. Great representation and a great book for kids that love soccer!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a quick read and just in time for the World Cup. Yet another book with a dead parent.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The timing of this book is perfect with the World Cup looming. It’s more mystery than soccer, but that probably broadens it’s reach.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun middle-grade mystery! My kids and I loved all the soccer references.

[Liza Lugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kid loved it! He wants more books like this, which is a WIN! We have a challenge. I get him to read a chapter book, that I also read, and he gets two graphic books when he is done reading the chapter book. He does not like “dragon or magic books” so I turned to a booktok content creator that reviews middle grade books and in her recs it was this book.
That being said I will only provide this review in his words. “It really good… I like that it had a lot of twists and turns…I also like that it had a lot of info about the best game in the world”.