Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1986 — The only Scottish World Cup winnerOne of the most important people in Argentina’s football history probably never kicked a ball in his life. James Brown was a farm labourer…Apr 12, 2018Apr 12, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1982 — The redemption of Italy’s golden boyA popular joke in Italy in the spring of 1980 was that Regina Coeli were Serie A favourites. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of them —…Apr 8, 2018Apr 8, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1978 — Murder, match-fixing and pregnant players“That’s the last goal you’ll ever cheer, you sons of whores,” whispered the guard to Manuel Kalmes, who was chained up with other political…Apr 2, 2018Apr 2, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1974: Docs and curses -Haiti’s brilliant orangeTheir orange shirts matched those of the Dutch in this tournament, but Haiti were a world away from Total Football. Still, the Caribbean…Mar 22, 2018Mar 22, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1970: The hundred-hour Football War“Eighteen-year-old Amelia Bolanos was sitting in front of the TV in El Salvador when Honduran striker Roberto Cardona scored the winning…Mar 16, 2018Mar 16, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1966: The people’s republic of MiddlesbroughOn Sports Street in Pyongyang, North Korea, apartments are set aside for the nation’s athletic heroes to live out their days in comfort.Mar 11, 2018Mar 11, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1962: Garrincha - the angel with bent legsWhen Brazil won the 1958 World Cup to scenes of jubilation on the pitch and at home, there was one man who didn’t celebrate.Mar 2, 2018Mar 2, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1958: The miner who struck World Cup goldMining was all he knew. Raymond Kopaszewski was born in 1931, to a family of Polish immigrants in Nouex-les-Mines, near Lille in the grim…Feb 24, 2018Feb 24, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1954: Puskas and the kick that won the World CupHungary were the best team in the world. The ‘Magnificent Magyars’ were Olympic champions, and went into the 1954 World Cup on a 32-game…Feb 16, 2018Feb 16, 2018
Amit KatwalaWorld Cup Stories, 1950: The goalkeeper who made all of Brazil cryBrazilians still call it el Maracanaço — which roughly translates as ‘the Maracana blow’. The Selecao’s 2–1 defeat to Uruguay in the final…Feb 9, 2018Feb 9, 2018