31/05/2026
Cornwall's connections to the Football World Cup
Mexico, co-host of the men's tournament this summer, traces its love affair with football back to the arrival of Cornish miners, who left places like St Day for the silver mines of Mineral del Monte.
The miners would play matches on their breaks, and their Mexican co-workers soon took to the game. Matches between English and Mexican teams were played near the Dolores Mine in the late 1800s and early 1900s, where a plaque marks the location as the birthplace of football in Mexico.
“Along with the transfer of steam engine technology and the pasty, the Cornish take pride in the role that they played in the popularization of the beautiful game.” - Sharron Schwartz, historian from Redruth specializing in Cornish migration. Follow us for more true stories. NB. We will be at The Napoleon this Tuesday from about 8-30. Hope to see you there, no need to bring your boots !
