1970 FIFA World Cup
Mexico • May 31 - June 21, 1970
🇧🇷
Champion
16
Teams
32
Matches
95
Goals
2.97
Goals/Match
1,604,065
Attendance
Overview
The 1970 FIFA World Cup was the ninth edition held in Mexico from May 31 to June 21, 1970. It was the first World Cup held outside Europe and South America, and the first in North America.
Brazil won their third World Cup title with a 4-1 victory over Italy in the final, earning permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy. The Brazilian team, featuring Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivellino, Tostão, Gérson, and Carlos Alberto, is widely considered the greatest football team of all time. They achieved a perfect record, winning all six matches.
The tournament featured several historic moments: the "Game of the Century" semi-final between Italy and West Germany (4-3), Jairzinho scoring in every match (a unique feat), and Gerd Müller's 10 goals. It was also the first World Cup broadcast in color, featured the introduction of yellow and red cards, and debuted the iconic Adidas Telstar ball.
Final Standings
All 16 participating teams with detailed statistics
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇1 | 🇧🇷 Brazil Champion | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 7 | +12 | 12 |
🥈2 | 🇮🇹 Italy Runner-up | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 8 |
🥉3 | 🇩🇪 West Germany Third | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 10 |
4 | 🇺🇾 Uruguay Fourth | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 5 |
5 | 🇷🇺 Soviet Union | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
6 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 5 |
7 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
8 | 🏴 England | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
9 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
10 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
11 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
12 | 🇮🇱 Israel | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 2 |
13 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 1 |
14 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
15 | 🇨🇿 Czechoslovakia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
16 | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
Legend: Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference, Pts = Points
Golden Boot
Gerd Müller
West Germany
Jairzinho
Brazil
Teófilo Cubillas
Peru
Pelé
Brazil
Anatoliy Byshovets
Soviet Union
Luigi Riva
Italy
Roberto Boninsegna
Italy
Rivellino
Brazil
Tostão
Brazil
Uwe Seeler
West Germany
All Matches
Tournament Structure
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third Place
Final
Key Moments
- Brazil won their third World Cup title
- Brazil earned permanent possession of Jules Rimet Trophy
- Perfect record: Brazil won all 6 matches
- Greatest team of all time (1970 Brazil)
- Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivellino, Tostão, Gérson, Carlos Alberto
- First World Cup outside Europe and South America
- First World Cup in North America
- First World Cup broadcast in color
- Game of the Century: Italy 4-3 West Germany (AET)
- Jairzinho scored in every match (unique record)
Historic Firsts
- Brazil: Third World Cup title (permanent Jules Rimet Trophy)
- Brazil: Perfect record - 6 wins in 6 matches
- Jairzinho: Scored in every match (unique feat)
- Gerd Müller: 10 goals (Golden Boot)
- Game of the Century: Italy 4-3 West Germany
- First World Cup in North America
- First World Cup broadcast in color
- No red cards issued entire tournament
- Highest goals per game: 2.97 average