From Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and perfectly timed for the 2026 World Cup, The Mystery of the Missing 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 suspects: 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?