How the 1986 Mexico World Cup was almost cancelled after a devastating earthquake

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The 1986 Mexico City earthquake nearly led to the cancellation of the Mexico World Cup after causing thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. The disaster resulted in an official death toll of at least 5,000, though some estimates are much higher, challenging the city's capacity to host the tournament.

Guardian reports after the disaster told of 5,000 deaths, much of the capital being razed, and doubts about Mexico hosting the finals Mexico last hosted the World Cup in 1986, but the competition was almost cancelled several months before the start when an earthquake struck the capital, Mexico City, leaving at least 5,000 people dead, 30,000 homeless and much of the city flattened, in one of the worst earthquakes to hit the country. To this day, the death toll remains disputed, with some estimates putting it as high as 40,000. Continue reading...