The stadium in this photo opened the 2026 World Cup this morning. It opened the 1986 World Cup too, just eight months after an earthquake killed more than 10,000 people in Mexico City. FIFA wanted to move the tournament. Mexico said no.
Mexico wasn't the original host of 1986. FIFA, the body that runs world football, gives out hosting rights years ahead of time. Colombia had them since 1974. In October 1982, Colombia's president went on national television and pulled out, saying the demands for new roads, airports, and stadiums were beyond what the country could afford. With three years left, FIFA opened the bid again. Mexico won in May 1983.
On September 19, 1985, Mexico City shook. The earthquake lasted nearly three minutes, killing more than 10,000 people. Another 30,000 were injured. A quarter of a million people lost their homes, and over 400 buildings fell. FIFA held meetings about moving the tournament to a different country. Mexico's answer was no. The earthquake hadn't touched the stadiums. They were keeping the World Cup.
The 1986 tournament gave the world its most replayed 10 minutes of football. By June 22, only 8 of the original 24 teams were left. Argentina played England. Just four years earlier, the two countries had fought a brief war over a chain of remote South Atlantic islands. Argentina's Diego Maradona was 25 and many still call him the greatest footballer who ever lived. He jumped for a loose ball in the 51st minute and deliberately punched it into the net with his left fist. The referee missed it and let the goal stand. Maradona told reporters afterward it was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."
Four minutes later, Maradona started moving from deep in his own half. He dribbled past five English players, covering 60 meters of ground in around 10 seconds, and rolled the ball past their goalkeeper. FIFA held a global vote in 2002 to find the greatest World Cup goal ever scored. That one won. Argentina took the England game 2-1, then beat West Germany 3-2 in the final, winning the whole tournament on a pitch that should have been empty eight months earlier.
After safety renovations over the decades, the stadium seats 87,523 today, down from over 114,000 in 1986. It opened the 1970 World Cup. Then 1986. This morning, it opened a third. No other stadium has ever opened three World Cups.
Opening ceremony of the 1986 México World Cup in Estadio Azteca