1986

Notes

Maradona's tournament. Argentina's second title under Carlos Bilardo, with Maradona as Player of the Tournament — including the 'Hand of God' (illegal handball goal) and the 'Goal of the Century' (60-yard solo run past five Englishmen) both vs England in the QF on 22 June. New format introduced: 24 teams in 6 groups of 4 → top 2 plus 4 best 3rd-place teams to R16 → modern KO bracket. This format remained through 1994. Mexico replaced Colombia as host (Colombia withdrew 1982 due to economic crisis). Mexico became the first nation to host two World Cups (1970, 1986). 132 goals from 82 player-credit entries (including 2 own-goal credits to defenders of the conceding side).

📚 Trivia

• matchesArgentina 2-1 England in the 1986 QF on 22 June. Maradona scored both goals: the 'Hand of God' (illegal handball, 51') and four minutes later the 'Goal of the Century' (60-yard solo run past five Englishmen). Both moments came in the same match.
• format1986 introduced the modern KO bracket format: 6 groups of 4 → top 2 + 4 best 3rd-place teams advance to R16 → QF/SF/Final. The 1990 and 1994 editions used the same template before expansion to 32 teams in 1998.
• firstsMexico became the first nation to host two World Cups (1970 + 1986). Mexico took over from original 1986 host Colombia, who withdrew citing economic crisis. Mexico, Italy (1934/1990), Germany (1974/2006), Brazil (1950/2014), and France (1938/1998) are the only repeat hosts.