When the 2026 FIFA World Cup (https://aboutchampionships.com/de/) kicks off in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, it is certainly not the first instance that this part of the world has organized the World Cup. Actually, North America has an incredibly rich and transformative World Cup history. From the sweltering heat of Azteca Stadium to the historic 1994 event, previous tournaments held here have completely changed the sport forever. In this look back, we analyze the incredible legacy of the global event in the USA and Mexico ahead of the 2026 event.
To grasp the significance of the upcoming tournament, we must first look back at the past.
Pele and the 1970 Mexico World Cup
The 1970 edition is widely considered by historians and fans alike as the absolute peak of international football. Taking place in the high altitudes of Mexico, this specific event was a huge milestone for international soccer. This was the first time the event to be shown in color television worldwide. Fans around the planet were captivated by the iconic yellow jerseys of the dominant Brazil side. The thin air of Mexico City demanded incredible technical skill, resulting in some of the most beautiful football ever witnessed. Brazil famously defeated Italy in the final in front of a massive crowd at the Azteca, claiming the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.
Maradona's Masterpiece in '86
In 1986, Mexico hosted the event once again, becoming the first nation to host twice. If 1970 was about the perfect team, the '86 edition was completely dominated by one genius: the legendary Argentine, Diego Maradona. The incredible forward carried his team to the trophy with legendary displays of skill. His quarter-final match against England is arguably the most famous game in football history. During that match, he punched the ball into the net and then followed it up with the greatest solo goal in World Cup history. This World Cup solidified the Azteca's reputation as one of the greatest footballing venues.
- The 1970 Edition: Considered the greatest tournament ever played.
- Maradona's Tournament: Mexico became the first two-time host.
- 1994 Edition: Still holds the absolute attendance record.
The 1994 World Cup in America
When FIFA awarded the 1994 World Cup to the United States, European critics were highly skeptical. The sport was not mainstream in the USA, and critics worried that nobody would show up to watch. However, USA 1994 was a massive, unprecedented success. Currently, it still holds the all-time World Cup record for total ticket sales, with almost 70,000 people at every single game. The Selecao won the trophy after a tense penalty shootout against Italy. Crucially, the profits from this tournament met the organizers' demands: the launch of a new domestic professional league.
Review this table of past North American World Cups.
| Year | Country | Winner| Why It Mattered | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | MEX | Brazil | The greatest team ever |
| Mexico '86 | MEX | Argentina | Maradona's legendary solo performance and "Hand of God" |
| 1994 | United States | The Brazilians | All-time attendance record; Created the MLS |
To wrap things up, as we look toward 2026, it is clear that this continent knows how to run a World Cup. The historic World Cups of '70, '86, and '94 all broke incredible records. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has massive shoes to fill, but with the inclusion of Canada, it is totally ready to create the next legendary installment in the storied legacy of the global tournament.
