World Cup 2026: Mexico's football soul provides succour to beautiful game's romantics

What is not to like about the World Cup - the greatest sporting show on earth - getting under way in Mexico this evening? The true soul of this summer's global jamboree, surely.

For the co-hosts - El Tri as they are known in these parts - and opponents South Africa, the eyes of the world will be watching at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca in the tournament opener.

It remains the first stadium to host two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986) and the stage where both La Mano de Dios (Hand of God) and the Goal of the Century were played out, less than five minutes apart.

Tonight, the iconic cathedral of football in the Americas, alongside Rio’s Maracana and Buenos Aires’ El Monumental and La Bombonera, will make history as the first venue to host the start of three different competitions.

Mexico has brought delectable treats to the table that extend far beyond Aztec gifts in the capital city from Maradona, Pele, Carlos Alberto and that wonderful scissor kick from Manuel Negrete in 1986.

The latter’s goal was immortalised with its own statue outside the stadium.

Unlike in 1970 and 86, León—where the Jules Rimet Trophy finally slipped from England's grasp following an epic quarter-final against West Germany amid stifling heat in June 1970 - is absent from the list of Mexican host cities this time.

Guadalajara and Monterrey remain from 86, albeit at different venues.

England possess bittersweet memories of both cities from their previous World Cup excursions in this part of the world.

Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the Three Lions' tournament-saving 3-0 group victory against Poland in Monterrey.

It was a day which changed Gary Lineker's life; his first-half hat-trick was the precursor to not only Bobby Robson’s side reaching the knock-out stages, but the catalyst to his big-money move to Barcelona and global status.

In their opening two group games at the Estadio Tecnológico, England were skewered by their irate fans and press.

A poor loss to Portugal was followed by a 0-0 draw with Morocco, a day remembered for Bryan Robson being taken off with his shoulder in a sling and acting captain Ray Wilkins soon dismissed for throwing the ball at the referee in protest on a boiling hot day above 100 degrees.

Thankfully, it was a case of cue Gary. Lineker stepped up in that fateful third game at the Estadio Universitario, emphatically ending his reputation for being a flat-track bully on the international stage.

The Spanish nickname for the stadium was El Volcán - the Volcano.

Mercifully, England - who turned their tournament around with Peter Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid and Trevor Steven all promoted - didn’t lose their heads what it truly mattered.

Guadalajara played out England’s group story 16 years earlier and is remembered for their 1-0 reverse against the best of the best in Brazil; a game which assumed its place in the pantheon of World Cup greatness.

The miraculous arrived, of course, via Sheffield’s Gordon Banks’ save of the century that somewhat kept out Pele's towering header.

Both sides magnificently went toe to toe in the midday sun. England - several players lost ten pounds in weight - pushed Brazil’s finest all the way until the incomparable Jairzinho settled it.

The encore came after the final whistle when Bobby Moore and Pele swapped shirts and embraced in a moment which transcended sport.

Guadalajara - where Brazil and France conjured the best game in ‘86 - is still on the scene.

Mexico is most definitely the seasoning to this summer’s World Cup recipe.

What a shame that no games will be staged at any of the three designated venues in this football-mad nation after the last-16 stage.

Although that could tantalisingly see England face the Mexicans - if results decree on July 6.

That’s for the future, but what a glorious World Cup past Mexico has had.

After legends of the game in Muller, Moore, Banks and Rivera and Brazil’s stellar cast of Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao, Rivellino et al paraded in all their finery in 70, 86 was the stage for the likes of Elkjær, Butragueño, Platini, Josimar and Lineker. But mostly Maradona.

That tournament was synonymous for the Mexican wave, showcasing the joy of football to all those who cherish the beautiful game.

There will be a wave of nostalgia tonight as Mexico takes its turn again. Let’s hope its another fondly remembered competition.

Not withstanding a Tunisian referee failing to spot that handball..