Chile 1962, the pride of a nation

South America was clamoring for a new organization since the last world had been held in Europe: Switzerland 54 and Sweden 58. Argentina and again, always faced with FIFA again apply. However, it became clear that those petty squabbles that came from years earlier were still patent. Finally, the organization of the next world was entrusted to Chile.

From the first time doubts arose mainly in European countries who felt that Chile did not have the financial means nor the athletic enough to cope with this event. Indeed, Chile had to invest a large amount of money in upgrading the lines of communication and transport, in addition to remodeling and new stadiums. Moreover, Chile had a very serious earthquake in May 1960 that left more than 5,000 counting dead and devastated much of the country. Cities that had been billed as subsites had to give up organizing their meetings and many buildings and stadiums were literally destroyed.

"Because we have nothing, everything we" were the words of Carlos Dittborn one of the principals responsible for the organization Chileans, who besides being more defended the project. Europeans knew little of the strength and courage of the Andean country. They all said Chile 62 made its world. Unfortunately, Carlos Dittborn, who both fought for the World, died a month before the inauguration with just 38 years of a heart attack victim.

The problems came to the table including translations, translators were hired for only English, French and German, forgetting other minority languages. As a curiosity, there was a small boy named Segundo Sanchez, obviously poor by their clothing, which was submitted asking for a job. When asked what she could do, said he knew 18 languages. Surprised, and with the urgency they had translators, examined him. That kid showed that he knew 18 languages, but 25, but his modesty made him say so. According to her, had learned only on the basis of reading magazines and books from other countries. After finishing the World Cup, Second Sanchez went to work for the Foreign Ministry of Chile.

Despite the doubts and problems that did not prevent that increasingly will target more countries. This time they were 57, the highest share to date. In the final round, 11 European countries and 5 Americans would be the participants. But such was the interest aroused throughout the world, until the general elections that were to be held in Germany and coincided with the celebration of 1962 World Cup in Chile had to be suspended and deferrals.

On the sporting front, Brazil sounded again as the winner, with Garrincha, Vava and Pele. However, in the background, began to ring names like Spain, with di Stefano and Puskas, nationalized in its ranks, or the Bobby Charlton of England.

Unfortunately, that World Cup was marked by significant casualties and the extreme hardness of the game. Di Stefano was injured before the World Cup, the English came with the loss of the injured players from Manchester, and Pele was injured in the first World Cup match against Mexico.