The World Cup is heading for Mexico for the third time in 2026, which also marks the 40th anniversary of the second competition played there.
World Cup 1986 was due to be played in Colombia but 1970 hosts Mexico stepped in when the original hosts pulled out. It was a classic tournament, not universally beloved but remembered for Diego Maradona's handball, glorious solo goal and ascent to the top of the world.
Buy the new Adidas Mexico home shirt 1986
The vintage remake is a faithful recreation of a classic and the details are flawless. The all-green body and sleeves are trimmed with white, including the clean white three stripes that anchor the shirt in the eighties.
El Tri's old badge returns, oversized just as it was in 1986, and the famous Adidas trefoil logo, slightly smaller than the original, sits just under the collarbone. The combination V-neck and cutaway white collar looks as classy as it did 40 years ago.
Mexico were eliminated as one of the last eight at their home tournament without losing a match. They were the unbeaten winners of Group B, beating Belgium and Iraq, either side of a draw with Paraguay.
They won 2-0 against Bulgaria in the round of 16 before a goalless draw and penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany ended their participation at the quarter-final stage.
Adidas says that the vintage shirt, which is available online for �90, is a tribute to an iconic World Cup and a representation of Mexico's rich football history. The updated material and slightly more vibrant shade of green are the only real deviations from a stellar original and it feels a lot more minimalistic than the 2026 home shirt.
World Cup 1986 was notable not only for the Hand of God and Maradona's coronation as the king of football but also for Belgium's run to the semi-finals and a round of 16 comparatively full of goals. Belgium and Brazil both scored four in their respective ties. Spain scored five against Denmark.
The top goalscorer was England legend Gary Lineker, whose six-goal haul was one larger than Maradona, Careca and Emilio Butragueno. Defender Fernando Quirarte was the only player to score more than once for the hosts.
By honouring a popular shirt from a tournament on home soil, Adidas has given collectors, enthusiasts and fans a special souvenir at the start of a very modern World Cup year.
What do you think? Are you in favour of a sleek and accurate homage or is the vintage shirt market not for you?
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