The 1970 FIFA World Cup was the ninth FIFA World Cup and was held in Mexico from 31 May to 21 June in Mexico, it was the first World Cup tournament staged in North America, and the first held outside Europe and South America. Brazil claimed their third title beating Italy in the final at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and Peru declared an interest in hosting the 1970 FIFA World Cup but by the time the FIFA Congress convened in Tokyo, Japan on 8 October 1964 Australia, Colombia, Japan and Peru had withdrawn
Mexico defeated Argentina by 56 votes to 32 to earn the right to host the tournament.
Seventy five1 countries entered the qualifying competition with Rhodesia competing in the Asia/Oceania qualifiers.
The hosts, Mexico, and the defending champions, England, qualified automatically. Of the remaining 14 places, eight were allocated to Europe (UEFA), three to South America (CONMEBOL), one to the North and Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF), one to Africa (CAF) and one place to the Asian (AFC) and Oceania (OFC) qualifiers.
Thirty one European teams entered the 1970 FIFA World Cup with England qualifying automatically as holders whilst FIFA rejected the entry of Albania. The remaining 29 teams were drawn into eight groups, five groups of four teams and three of three teams. All eight group-winners qualified automatically.
Wales were drawn in Group 3 alongside East Germany, who they had faced in qualifying for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, and Italy who Wales had previously met on one occasion; a friendly defeat in Florence in 1965.
Uefa qualifying Group 3
| no. | date | score | scorers (wales) | venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 | 23/10/1968 | Wales 0-1 Italy | Ninian Park, Cardiff | WCQ | |
| 29/03/1969 | East Germany 2-2 Italy | Walter-Ulbricht-Stadion, East Berlin | WCQ | ||
| 282 | 16/04/1969 | East Germany 2-1 Wales | Toshack | Heinz Steyer Stadion, Dresden | WCQ |
| 287 | 22/10/1969 | Wales 1-3 East Germany | Powell | Ninian Park, Cardiff | WCQ |
| 288 | 04/11/1969 | Italy 4-1 Wales | England | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | WCQ |
| 22/11/1969 | Italy 3-0 East Germany | Stadio San Paolo, Naples | WCQ |
Group standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Italy | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| 2. | East Germany | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| 3. | Wales | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 0 |
Wales were drawn in Group 3 alongside East Germany, who they had faced in qualifying for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, and Italy who Wales had previously met on one occasion; a friendly defeat in Florence in 1965.
The refusal of English clubs to release players for midweek internationals meant Wales were understrength when Italy travelled to Ninian Park on a Wednesday night in October 1968 with Fourth Division Peterborugh United's Tony Millington playing in goal rather than first choice 'keeper, Gary Sprake.
John Toshack made his competetive debut for Wales in the second match of the campaign in Dresden, having won his first cap in a friendly against West Germany the previous month.
Dick Krzywicki of West Bromwich Albion made his debut in the home match against East Germany but even the return of Sprake didn't stop Wales falling to a 1-3 defeat.
The final match of a disastrus campaign saw young Leeds United midfielder, Terry Yorath, make his debut at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The lack of availability of players is highlited by the fact, Wales used a total of 26 players during the four match qualifying campaign.
1Of the 75 countries who entered, the entries of Albania, Cuba, Guinea and Zaire were rejected by FIFA whilst North Korea were disqualified for refusing to play against Israel.
22 pts for a win / 1 pt for a draw
