Mexico '86,' a satire about the inner workings of a World Cup, complete with a scheme to deceive FIFA

A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Mexico City in 1985, creating intense sadness and helplessness alongside solidarity and community response. The destruction made it hard to imagine hosting a World Cup. Mexico later became the first nation to host the tournament twice through a combination of true events, anecdotes, corruption, and urban legends. Mexico 86 frames the effort to turn the event into a symbol of unity and recovery, while also connecting it to consequences for the Mexican national team, including a ban from the 1990 World Cup. The story follows Martin de la Torre, a mid-level bureaucrat who tries to outmaneuver FIFA and competing countries when a last-minute hosting opportunity appears.

"Diego Luna was seven years old in 1985. A devastating magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Mexico City just nine months before the start of the FIFA World Cup. He recalls that the overall feeling among residents of the capital was really intense, very sad, and that there was a sense of helplessness because of the state's absence. Amid that, as in other tragedies that have hit the country, the actor says there was also a very beautiful feeling of solidarity and community response but it seemed like the destruction made it impossible to imagine a World Cup."

"What lay behind Mexico becoming the first nation to host the tournament twice is a mix of true events, anecdotes, acts of corruption, and a few urban legends. Or at least that is how Netflix movie Mexico 86 frames it: a satirical account of how those who run soccer off the field focused national efforts to turn the event into a symbol of unity and recovery after mourning, but which also helped trigger the Mexican national team's ban from the 1990 World Cup in Italy."

"When a last-minute opportunity arises to host the 1986 World Cup, Martin de la Torre (played by Luna), a crafty, mid-level Mexican bureaucrat armed only with nerve and audacity, schemes to trick FIFA and beat out Canada, Brazil, and the United States. But in a country ruled by power games, every victory has a price, the synopsis says."

"Luna (Toluca, 46) still vividly remembers how the country suddenly turned into a very cool celebration full of intense excitement. He recalls even going to a match at the Olympic Stadium that pitted France against Italy. The Mexican national team gave people hope. The thing is, I didn't remember that other team that seemed to play only to lose by a narrow margin, but I did see how excited t"

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