Colombia was chosen as the venue for the 1986 World Cup 12 years before the ball was even rolled. Colombians welcomed the World Cup to their soil with celebrations that lasted for days. However, when the financial crisis and the administrative crisis, Colombia could not take a single stone to prepare for the World Cup. Preparations were fast. The venue was given to Colombia in 1974 with the announcement of a 16-team tournament.
However, when FIFA decided to increase the number of teams to 24 in 1982, the hosts, Colombia, disbanded. Colombia said that it is not possible to prepare a stage for the tournament at this level. With this, FIFA President Havelange agreed to change the decision. But Columbia’s lame excuses didn’t change. Dispute with FIFA again. It was their position that they could not meet any standards prescribed by FIFA. Finally, with the World Cup confirmed to be held on this soil, with only a few years left to play, FIFA and Colombia parted ways. The challenge in front of the International Football Federation is to hold the World Cup on the scheduled date after finding a new venue.
The emergency bid process has started. The 1970 World Cup hosts Mexico, the United States and Canada expressed interest. However, Mexico was of interest to FIFA as they could host the tournament on short notice. The 1986 World Cup was awarded to Mexico after Canada and the United States were rejected, citing that they did not meet the criteria in the bid application. Mexico was announced as the host on May 20, 1983. FIFA’s decision was controversial at the international level. Former Foreign Secretary Henry Kissinger, who was the head of the American Bid Committee, came forward with strong criticism.
Meanwhile, Mexico was in full swing. With only a few days left for the World Cup, they have lined up venues and cities. It was during this preparation that Mexico was hit by a powerful earthquake, eight months before the start of the season. The epicenter was the major city of Greater Mexico. Around eight thousand people were killed and 30,000 injured in the September 1985 earthquake. When there was concern about whether the World Cup would be held, it was judged that none of the stadiums were damaged and the tournament was going ahead.
Thus, after overcoming all the difficulties, in a short period of time, Mexico prepared the stage for the world fight in eight venues. That soil became the favorite place of Diego and Argentina. The soil where Diego’s hand of God and century goal was born. Peter Shilton’s tearful World Cup Morocco, the first African team to advance past the preliminary round.. Thus, Mexico 1986 became a World Cup with a handful of features.