México 86 (2026)

In Mexico in 1983, the 1982 economic crisis is said to have caused a recession in the country’s society and economy. Martín de la Torre, an employee of the Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT), is giving an interview to José Ramón Fernández when he is interrupted and told to change the way he prepares reports. After work, he visits his neighbor Susana, with whom he is having an affair, then returns to the apartment he shares with his wife, Beatriz. They argue about the working conditions imposed as a result of the recession. After their argument, Martín sees on the news that Colombia’s president, Belisario Betancur, has announced that his country is withdrawing as host of the 1986 World Cup, following a wave of violence caused by the same economic crisis, guerrilla and paramilitary conflict, and drug trafficking. The news causes a stir at Martín’s workplace, both because of the uncertainty and because they want to pursue Mexico as host, just as the United States is doing. His boss argues that Emilio Azcárraga and Guillermo Cañedo de la Bárcena’s trip to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland is a waste of time, since no country has ever hosted the World Cup twice. This angers Martín, who is a football fan and believes in the sport’s importance to Mexican society. He uses his connection with José Ramón to arrange an appearance on his program later that day to discuss the issue. Martín tries to invite Susana to come with him, but she has a date with someone else. On the program, Martín argues that his boss should be fired and replaced with someone who genuinely cares about football. This causes more problems with his wife, but in the middle of their argument they receive a call from Emilio Azcárraga’s secretary to arrange a meeting. As he leaves the apartment, Martín scratches the car belonging to Susana’s date. At his meeting with Azcárraga, Martín is put to the test: Azcárraga challenges him to prove that his accusations against his director, made on the program, are more than just words. After confronting him, Martín proposes that he will bring the World Cup to Mexico if Azcárraga makes him FEMEXFUT’s executive president. That way, he can own all the businesses connected to the World Cup. Azcárraga grants his wish, expecting him to keep his word; if he fails, Azcárraga will ruin his life himself. After arriving triumphantly at his office, Martín finds Guillermo Cañedo, who has been assigned to accompany him to Switzerland for that week’s FIFA meeting because of his experience with the 1970 World Cup. Martín celebrates these achievements with Susana and asks her to go to Switzerland with him after asking his wife for a divorce. Susana complains that he scratched her date’s car and says this is an attempt to control her; he declares his love for her. At that year’s meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, Martín, Cañedo, and Susana meet João Havelange, Pelé, Jackie Ross, and Henry Kissinger. They begin seeking out representatives from other countries to gather votes for Mexico to host the World Cup, approaching representatives from Guatemala, Egypt, the USSR, and Mozambique. However, the United States gets ahead of them by buying votes. After their initial defeat, Martín contacts Azcárraga about their difficulties and asks him for money to improve their offers to the other countries. Azcárraga agrees. They raise their offers, and the representatives begin accepting until they have a majority. The next morning, they lose some of those votes because of Kissinger’s better offers. In response, Cañedo and Martín go to FIFA a few hours before the vote. Martín enters the conference room and changes the order of the countries so that those voting for Mexico state their preference before those who will vote against it. During the vote, Martín gives a speech about the importance of football in Mexico. The voting begins, and Mexico’s votes put pressure on the other countries to influence their choices, allowing them to win the vote. Back in Mexico, Martín celebrates with Azcárraga and at FEMEXFUT. In an interview, Martín exposes Guillermo, who later answers back. Martín meets with Bora Milutinović about becoming coach of the Mexican national team, and with Hugo Sánchez so he will not cause trouble over not being captain; Martín lets him make as many commercials as he wants. Some time later, at a dinner with Emilio Azcárraga, Martín, Susana, Cañedo, “the politician in charge of allocating the budget,” and their wives talk about one of Susana’s former partners. Susana ends up calling the secretary a jerk. Afterward, the men separate from the women, and the dinner ends. Following the earthquake of September 19, 1985, João Havelange tells Martín that Mexico cannot host the World Cup so the country can focus on its people. Martín gets angry and becomes obsessed with keeping the World Cup in Mexico. Susana is offended that Martín places the World Cup above the earthquake victims. At his meeting with Azcárraga, who is displeased with Martín’s position, Martín explains the importance of an event of this kind in restoring the country’s spirit. Cañedo and Azcárraga tell him they distrust him because of the insult his partner made the other day. Martín lies, saying that he and Susana had ended their relationship at the end of the dinner. They arrange a meeting with Havelange and Hermann Neuberger, the FIFA representative responsible for inspecting conditions in the country and certifying whether the World Cup can be held there. Neuberger has already been influenced by an earlier meeting with Jackie Ross, who argued that Mexico was not safe for the event. Martín and Cañedo take Hermann to Estadio Neza 86 in Nezahualcóyotl, passing through the city’s rubble. A crowd of 20,000 people is waiting for them in the stands. In voice-over, Martín admits that all the attendees had been “bussed in” after being given grocery supplies. Martín gives a speech and uses it to manipulate Neuberger into keeping the World Cup in Mexico. Afterward, they celebrate with mariachis, regional dances, penalty kicks, and alcohol. Later, Azcárraga and Martín speak in private, and Martín reinforces his lie that he is single. Hours later, Susana confronts him after hearing the lie from Azcárraga’s wife. They argue and end their relationship. On May 3, 1986, while Martín is depressed, the World Cup begins. He goes to Susana’s office to try to win her back, but she refuses. In a private conversation with Cañedo, Martín learns of a plan for Mexico to lose to Iraq so that Azcárraga will own all the World Cup revenue from attendance at the national team’s matches, since they will be played at Estadio Azteca, and attention will not shift to Monterrey, where the quarterfinals will be held. Martín talks to Bora to make sure this does not happen and that Mexico wins, because he cares more about Mexico having a chance to win the World Cup. During Mexico’s match against Germany, Hugo Sánchez is injured before the penalty shootout begins. Martín runs onto the field to try to get him to keep playing, but when he fails, he urges the other players to take their shots and boosts their morale along with Bora. Even so, they lose the match. Azcárraga congratulates Martín on his achievements, gives him a house, renews his contract as FEMEXFUT president, and offers him a position at Televisa. Martín turns it down, hoping to become FIFA president. To improve his reputation and record with FIFA and pave the way for the 1990 World Cup, Martín decides to falsify the birth certificates of some more experienced players so they can compete in the 1988 CONCACAF Under-20 Tournament. When FIFA finds out, it disqualifies Mexico, triggering the “cachirules” scandal. During this process, Martín falls out with José Ramón and, as punishment for the proven falsification, Mexico is barred from the 1990 World Cup in Italy. This leads Azcárraga to argue with Martín over the losses this caused him, and he warns Martín that he will fulfill his original promise to ruin his life. In 1994, amid insults from strangers, Martín recounts how he is no longer involved in football and how it has not been the same since his departure—and is now worse. He arrives at Susana’s door, and she welcomes him into her apartment as in the old days.