The iconic ball from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England will be auctioned from August 21-23. The starting price is $2.5 million, and Heritage Auctions is confident it will fetch a record amount.
One of the most controversial and famous artifacts in football history could soon have a new owner. The ball with which Diego Maradona scored his legendary "Hand of God" goal at the 1986 World Cup is going up for auction in the United States, with estimates suggesting it could fetch more than $10 million.
The auction is organized by the American house Heritage Auctions and will take place from August 21 to 23, 2026. The starting price is set at $2.5 million, but expectations are much higher given the growing market for sports memorabilia and the iconic status of the item itself.
Dan Imler, vice president of the sports division at Heritage Auctions, does not hide his enthusiasm ahead of the sale. "I believe this is the most iconic ball in football history," Imler said, adding that "the market for high-value sports collectibles has grown significantly."
This is the ball used when Argentina defeated England in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Mexico City. The match was charged with political tension, played just four years after the Falklands War between the two nations, and Maradona's two goals entered the annals of sport for entirely different reasons.
In the 51st minute of the match, the Argentine captain jumped and punched the ball over the English goalkeeper. The referee did not see the infringement, and the goal was allowed to stand. Maradona later famously quipped that it was scored "a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God." Just four minutes later, "El Pibe de Oro" set off from his own half, dribbled past four English players, and scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.
This is not the first time items from that historic match have sold for astronomical sums. Maradona's shirt from that game was sold in 2022 for a record $9.3 million. The ball itself was previously offered at auctions in 2022 and 2023, but bids then did not exceed $2 million.
The new valuation of over $10 million reflects the explosive growth in interest for top-tier sports memorabilia in recent years. The death of Diego Maradona in November 2020 at the age of 60 has further increased the value of items associated with his turbulent yet undeniably brilliant career.
Given rising prices and the emotional charge surrounding Maradona's persona and legacy, the auction at the end of August could set new standards in the football memorabilia market.
