Softfootball can confirm According to a post shared by FIFA on their official X handle, Mexico made history on May 31, 1986, by becoming the first nation ever to host the FIFA World Cup on two occasions, having previously staged the tournament in 1970.
FIFA posted:
History makers! 🇲🇽
#OnThisDay in 1986, Mexico became the first country to host the @fifaworldcup twice.
This year, Mexico will become the first country to have ever hosted or co-hosted the tournament three times! 🙌
Forty years later, Mexico is set to extend that remarkable record by becoming the first country to host or co-host the FIFA World Cup three times when the 2026 edition takes place across Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The legendary Estadio Azteca will also make history as the first stadium to host World Cup matches in three different tournaments — 1970, 1986 and 2026 — further cementing its place among football’s most iconic venues.
The 1986 tournament remains one of the most memorable in football history, featuring the brilliance of Diego Maradona, whose famous “Hand of God” goal and “Goal of the Century” helped guide Argentina to World Cup glory.
Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 tournament continue across the globe. Marcelo Bielsa has announced the Uruguay national football team squad for the World Cup, with veteran striker Luis Suárez notably absent from the final selection.
In Brazil, Neymar has been confirmed as the wearer of the iconic number 10 shirt for the Brazil national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining his importance as the Seleção prepare for another bid for global success.
As the countdown to 2026 continues, Mexico’s historic achievement stands as a reminder of the country’s enduring place at the heart of World Cup history.
