1970 FIFA World Cup
The first World Cup in North America, where Brazil's legendary team conquered all.
The 1970 FIFA World Cup was the ninth edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship for men's senior national teams. Held from 31 May to 21 June in Mexico, it was the first World Cup tournament held outside Europe and South America, and also the first hosted in North America.
Quick Facts
- Host nation
- Mexico
- Main stadium
- Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Group stage opponents
- Soviet Union
- Belgium
- El Salvador
- Round reached
- Quarter-finals
- Quarter-final result
- Lost 2–4 to Italy
- Significance
- First World Cup hosted by Mexico
Lore & Background
Mexico was chosen as the host nation on 8 October 1964 vote at the FIFA congress in Tokyo, where the only other bid submitted was by Argentina. The tournament featured 16 teams, with El Salvador, Israel and Morocco making their debut appearances. Brazil won their third World Cup title, defeating Italy 4–1 in the final, and are often cited as the greatest football team of all time.
Reader's Guide
The 16 qualified teams were divided into four groups of four, played as a single round-robin. The top two teams from each group progressed to the knockout stage. Five stadiums in five cities were selected: Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Nou Camp Stadium in Leon, Luis Dosal stadium in Toluca, and Cuauhtémoc stadium in Puebla.
Did You Know?
- Brazil achieved a perfect record of wins in all six games in the finals.
- The 1970 Finals attracted a new record television audience for the FIFA World Cup.
- Estadio Azteca hosted the 1970 final and later the 1986 final.
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Elsewhere in Mexico National Team
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