ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The 1970 FIFA World Cup

The ninth edition of the FIFA World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 21, 1970. This quadrennial international football championship for men's senior national teams marked a significant milestone as El Salvador, Israel, and Morocco made their debut appearances in the final stage.

For the first time at a World Cup, two former world champions faced each other in the final: Brazil and Italy. The Brazilian team, led by Pelé, defeated Italy 4-1 to become the first team to win the FIFA World Cup three times. This victory was also notable for being the last time the Coupe Jules Rimet would be awarded.

The tournament saw several other notable performances, including England's quarterfinal loss to West Germany and host Mexico's elimination in the same round against Italy. Gerd Müller of West Germany emerged as the king of scorers with 10 goals.

One of the most significant aspects of the 1970 World Cup was its impact on broadcasting technology. For the first time, football matches from Latin America were shown live on European television, and for the first time, the World Cup matches were broadcast in color. This innovation allowed European viewers to watch the matches at a more convenient time.

The tournament is widely regarded as one of the best among many athletes and journalists, with legendary players like Pelé still dominating the game at its peak. The Brazilian winning team was awarded several times as one of the greatest teams of all time.

Host Selection

Mexico was chosen as the host nation on October 8, 1964, after a vote by the FIFA Congress. This selection marked several distinctions for Mexico, including being the first African or Asian team to reach the final stage without any prior experience in international football. The decision came in response to the events of 1966, when all 15 African teams participating in the qualifying rounds boycotted due to FIFA's decision to combine Africa, Asia, and Oceania classifications.

Procurement

The host nation was awarded the World Cup final with a majority vote of 56:32 against Argentina. Advance ticket sales began on July 10, 1969, with prices starting at around $5 for the cheapest seat.

Organizational Aspects

Organizers took several steps to ensure the success of the tournament, including advance ticket sales and broadcasting innovations. The event was considered one of the best among many athletes and journalists, showcasing legendary players still dominating