1986 FIFA World Cup
Hosted by Mexico. The Maradona World Cup. The "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" against England.
The 1986 FIFA World Cup at a glance
The 1986 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Mexico and contested by 24 teams over 52 matches, producing 132 goals (2.54 per match). The Maradona World Cup. The "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" against England. The final, Argentina 3-2 West Germany, was played at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Gary Lineker of England won the Golden Boot with 6 goals. Scoring rate of 2.54 goals per match was 0.27 lower than the previous edition's 2.81. Final standings: 1st Argentina, 2nd West Germany, 3rd France, 4th Belgium.
Final
Tournament
1986 FIFA World Cup records
| Champion | Argentina |
| Runner-up | West Germany |
| Third place | France |
| Fourth place | Belgium |
| Final score | Argentina 3-2 West Germany |
| Final venue | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Host country | Mexico |
| Teams | 24 |
| Matches | 52 |
| Goals | 132 |
| Goals per match | 2.54 |
| Top scorer | Gary Lineker (6 goals) |
| Top scorer nationality | England |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1986 FIFA World Cup?
Argentina won the 1986 FIFA World Cup, beating West Germany 3-2 West Germany in the final at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Where was the 1986 World Cup held?
The 1986 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Mexico. The final was played at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Who was the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup?
Gary Lineker of England was the top scorer at the 1986 FIFA World Cup with 6 goals.
How many teams and matches were at the 1986 World Cup?
24 teams played at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, totalling 52 matches and 132 goals — an average of 2.54 goals per match across roughly 30 days.
Who finished 3rd and 4th at the 1986 World Cup?
France finished third and Belgium finished fourth at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
How did the 1986 World Cup differ from the previous edition?
The previous FIFA World Cup, in 1982, was won by Italy (146 goals across 52 matches; 2.81 goals per match). The 1986 edition produced 132 goals across 52 matches (2.54 per match) and was won by Argentina.
What is the significance of the 1986 World Cup?
The Maradona World Cup. The "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" against England.
Can I get 1986 World Cup historical data via API?
Yes. TheStatsAPI provides historical FIFA World Cup data going back to 1930, including match results, lineups, top scorers, final standings, and team appearance records. Query historical endpoints with year=1986 to retrieve the full dataset.
Get historical World Cup data via API
Match results, top scorers, finals, and team records from 1930 to today. 7-day free trial.