1970 FIFA World Cup – Mexico
The 1970 FIFA World Cup would be played, by the first, time outside Europe or South America. Mexico was chosen over Argentina, the only other country to place a bid.
Teams representing 75 nations entered the qualification round. Eventually, only 68 competed due to rejected entries or withdrawals. 8 places were allocated to UEFA, 3 to CONMEBOL, 1 to CONCACAF, 1 to AFC/OFC and, for the first time, 1 to CAF. The other 2 places were for Mexico, the hosts, and England, the defending champions.
For the first time referees were allowed to use the yellow and red cards but no one was expelled from play during the tournament.
At the final, Brazil beat Italy 4-1 winning the title for the third time. The champions Brazil, led by Carlos Alberto and featuring Pelé, Clodoaldo, Gérson, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostão is often cited as the greatest ever World Cup Team. By winning, Brazil got awarded the privilege of keeping the Jules Rimet Trophy and a new trophy would be designed for the following tournaments.
Brazil won every game on the way to the title, from the qualifying round to the final. Both the Brazilian team and the tournament itself become regarded as among the very finest in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
List of qualified teams: Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, El Salvador, England, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Soviet Union, Sweden, Uruguay, West Germany.
Champions: Brazil
2nd place: Italy
3rd place: West Germany
Top scorer player: Gerd Müller, West Germany – 10 goals
Top scorer team: Brazil – 19 goals
Total of goals: 95 goals
Average per match: 2.97
List of all the tournaments
- 1930 FIFA World Cup – Uruguay
- 1934 FIFA World Cup – Italy
- 1938 FIFA World Cup – France
- 1950 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
- 1954 FIFA World Cup – Switzerland
- 1958 FIFA World Cup – Sweden
- 1962 FIFA World Cup – Chile
- 1966 FIFA World Cup – England
- 1970 FIFA World Cup – Mexico
- 1974 FIFA World Cup – West Germany