FIFA World Cup
Mexico first country to host 3 World Cups
The U.S.A., Canada and Mexico will be excited after it was announced Wednesday morning that their joint bid to host the 2026 tournament had won. The joint bid won by 69 votes over second placed Morocco. Disappointment for Morocco who finishes second for the fourth time now.
Despite the excitement in the U.S.A. and Canada, this win will be extra special for Mexico. It will make the popular central American nation the first country to host three world cups. This becomes more impressive considering the other big names who have already hosted two World Cups in the past. Names like Brazil, Italy and France.
While “El Tri” have never lifted the coveted trophy, they can be proud of a rich history in the games biggest competition. Their home stadium, the legendary Estadio Azteca, sometimes referred to as “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula” [The giant of Saint Ursula] is the pride and joy of Mexican soccer. It has been the stage for some of the biggest moments in soccer history since its completion in 1966. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and the so called ‘game of the century’ between Italy and West Germany in 1970 are two examples.
Previous World Cups hosted by Mexico
1970
After a FIFA convention held in Tokyo, Mexico won the bid for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. In this occasion, they beat 2nd placed bidder Argentina by 24 votes. To pour salt into Argentina’s wounds, they also failed to qualify for the tournament. England entered as holders after famously lifting the trophy at home four years earlier against West Germany. However, they were sent home by West Germany in the quarterfinals. Newcomers El Salvador caused a war with Honduras in order to qualify but exited in the group stage along with fellow newcomers Morocco and Israel. Pelé’s Brazil eventually won the tournament going down as arguably the greatest team in soccer history.
Mexico proudly hosted a great tournament which saw the introduction of the card system for discipline as well as the Adidas football.
1986
The honor of hosting the FIFA World Cup once again fell to Mexico in 1986. This time, it fell unanimously after Colombia withdrew due to financial problems. Italy would enter as reigning champions for the third time after winning the 1982 tournament in Spain. Mexico’s co-host for the 2026 World Cup Canada made its debut in this tournament as well as Iraq and Denmark. While Canada and Iraq exited in the first round, Denmark topped their group in impressive fashion.
Despite finishing second behind Denmark in the group stage, West Germany would advance to the final once again after losing against Italy in the previous tournament. Unfortunately, they would experience heartbreak again as they fell to Argentina 3-2 in the Azteca with Diego Maradona playing a pivotal role.
Once again Mexico provided the world’s most watched sporting event with a splendid platform and gave us the Mexican wave, a fan favorite ever since.
Preparing for 2026
Disappointment will be among the Mexican and Canadian fans for only hosting 10 games each for the 2026 tournament. On the other side, the tournament will have the USA take on 60. This however will do very little to reduce Mexican excitement about hosting the tournament yet again. Both co-hosts of the U.S.A. will be ready to leave their mark on the event. With the 2026 slogan being “United, As One”, it seems World Cup 2026 will be special for everyone involved.
