Mexico 86 (Mexico 86) is a 2026 Mexican documentary comedy sports film directed by Gabriel Ripstein from a screenplay by Daniel Krause, Francisco Javier González, Luis Resendiz, and Gabriel Ripstein. The film premiered on the Netflix movie platform on June 5, 2026.
The movie "„Mexico 86“" is inspired by the real events surrounding the hosting of the 1986 FIFA World Cup and presents with a sense of humor, political satire and historical references how Mexico managed to organize the largest football forum in the world despite enormous obstacles.
Set in the 1980s, Mexico is unexpectedly given the opportunity to host the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The story centers on the ambitious Martín de la Torre, a man with big dreams and even bigger ambitions who sees the tournament as a chance to rise to the top of power. While the political elite, football executives and international organizations wage behind-the-scenes battles, Martín uses everything from cunning and diplomacy to manipulation and risky deals to convince the world that Mexico is ready to host the tournament. Against a backdrop of economic problems, political intrigue and the aftermath of the devastating 1985 Mexico City earthquake, the characters race against time to make a seemingly impossible dream a reality.
Gabriel Ripstein approaches the story as a political satire, in which football is merely a backdrop to a larger narrative of power, ambition and national pride. Rather than a traditional sports drama, the film offers an ironic look at the mechanisms behind major international events. The director skillfully combines real historical facts with fiction, creating a dynamic and entertaining story about a little-known page in football history.
Diego Luna is at the center of the film as Martín de la Torre, a charismatic and extremely ambitious character willing to cross any boundaries in pursuit of his goal. His performance is among the most distinguished aspects of the production.
Carla Sousa plays Susana – an important figure in Martin's life who becomes his ally, advisor, and moral corrector during the difficult negotiations surrounding the championship.
Among the other actors, the following stand out: Daniel Jimenez Cacho like the influential media mogul Emilio Ascaraga, Memo Villegas like football legend Hugo Sanchez, Alvaro Guerrero, Diana Sedano, Andres de Leon, Osmar Lomas and Davor Tomic.
„Mexico 86“" is an intelligent political satire that uses football as a vehicle to tell a story about power, ambition and national prestige. Rather than a typical sports film, the production offers a funny and critical look at the events behind the scenes of one of the most significant championships in the history of football. Combining humor, historical references and strong acting performances, the film becomes a curious story about how sometimes the most important matches are played away from the football field.
