I think there are many reasons people of a certain generation consider it the best:

For many it was the first they followed - 86 wasn’t so easy as a teenager or child due to the time difference while 90 was in Europe. World cups are always more engaging when you are young without responsibilities and without having “gone through” them before. The romance is far stronger.

The story of course as England got to a semi-final and were knocked out dramatically on penalties - England’s first penalty shootout at a World Cup, and the whole drama of Gazza’s yellow card etc.

The fact that England didn’t qualify in 94, and many didn’t watch much again due to time difference. So slightly younger people will offer 98 as the best tournament.

And finally, and seriously I don’t think this should be underestimated, the whole Nessun Dorma thing. What a genial choice of music for the tournament! To this day every time I hear it I think of the 1990 World Cup.

Posted By: Legacy Fan, May 29, 09:30:33