France 24 Recalls Iconic World Cup Moments Ahead of 2026 North American Tournament
Publication reviews Brazil’s 1970 triumph, Diego Maradona’s 1986 campaign and the 1994 final shootout as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches
France 24 published a retrospective on 23 May 2026 examining the historical significance of World Cup tournaments hosted in Mexico and the United States. The article reviews the 1970, 1986 and 1994 editions, covering Brazil’s victory in 1970, Diego Maradona’s performance in 1986 and Roberto Baggio’s penalty miss in the 1994 final. The piece was published ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The 1970 World Cup in Mexico is widely regarded as one of the finest in history, featuring Brazil’s victory over Italy. Pelé became the first player to win the World Cup three times, having previously triumphed in 1958 and 1962. Brazil’s squad included Gerson, Rivelino, Tostao and Jairzinho, with Jairzinho securing a 1-0 win against England in the group stage after Gordon Banks saved a Pelé header.
Mexico became the first country to host two World Cups, organising the 1970 and 1986 editions. The 1986 tournament was held in Mexico after Colombia withdrew. Diego Maradona led Argentina to a 3-2 final win over West Germany, a match where he provided the assist for the winning goal. His performance included the 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' against England in the quarter-finals.
The 1994 World Cup was hosted by the United States, with the final played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It was the first World Cup final to be decided by a penalty shootout. Italy’s Roberto Baggio missed the decisive kick, resulting in Brazil’s victory. The tournament also saw Morocco become the first African team to reach the knockout stages in 1986, and marked the tragic death of Colombian captain Andrés Escobar following his own goal.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This marks the first time three nations will co-host the tournament. France 24’s retrospective serves as a historical reference point as North America prepares to host the global event for the first time in this format.
