1986 World Cup Nearly Cancelled by Earthquake

Before Mexico hosted the 1986 World Cup, the tournament was almost cancelled when a powerful earthquake devastated Mexico City. The natural disaster struck just months before the tournament was set to begin, leaving at least 5,000 people dead, 30,000 homeless, and much of the city flattened in what remains one of Mexico's worst earthquakes. newsbetting.bond

Despite the catastrophic damage and doubts about Mexico's ability to host the finals, the tournament proceeded as planned. The death toll from the disaster remains disputed, with some estimates as high as 40,000 casualties. Mexico last hosted the World Cup in 1986, and this near-cancellation remains a significant footnote in the tournament's history.