# Football memorabilia auctions hit new peaks > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maradona-hand-of-god-legacy > Updated: 2026-08-08T09:39:02.000Z. Sources: 154. Developments: 18. Heritage Auctions in Texas is proceeding with its high‑profile sale of the Adidas Azteca ball used by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup “Hand of God” quarter‑final. The auction runs 21‑23 August 2026 with a $2.5 million opening bid and an expected final price above $10 million. Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, has described the item as "easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer," noting that the ball was also used for Maradona's "Goal of the Century" during the same match. Authenticity is backed by two specialist firms and a 2023 letter from referee Ali Ben Naceur, who retained the ball for decades. The lot will also include Maradona’s jersey from the same match, which fetched $9.3 million in a 2022 sale. The event coincides with renewed Argentina‑England rivalry and the ongoing Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute, underscoring the cultural and geopolitical resonance of the memorabilia market. ## Claims - The auction expects the ball to sell for up to $10 million. (disputed by 7 sources) - Organisers expect the final price to exceed US$10 million. (disputed by 3 sources) - The soccer ball used by Diego Maradona to score the 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter‑final will be auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Texas from August 21 to 23, 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The 'Hand of God' goal involved Maradona punching the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The opening bid for the ball is set at $2.5 million. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Authenticity of the ball was confirmed by a 2023 letter from match referee Ali Ben Naceur. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Maradona’s jersey from the same match sold for $9.3 million in 2022, a record for sports memorabilia. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Argentina defeated England 2‑1 in the 1986 World Cup quarter‑final. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The ball was previously offered at auction in 2022 and 2023, each time receiving bids of about US$2 million. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: Maradona's 1986 'Hand of God' ball to be auctioned in US The iconic football used by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup match against England is heading to auction in the US, with an estimated value exceeding $10 million. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-heading-to-auction ### 2026-08-07: Maradona's Diego Maradona's 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-to-fetch-10-million-at-us-auction ### 2026-07-21: Pele's 1958 World Cup Shirt Sells for $4.9 Million in New York Pelé’s 1958 World Cup final jersey fetched $4.9 million at a New York Sotheby’s auction, becoming the second‑most expensive football shirt, while experts probe a possible second identical jersey. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peles-1958-world-cup-shirt-sells-for-49-million-in-new-york ### 2026-07-18: Pelé's 1958 World Cup Final Shirt Fetches $4.9 Million at Sotheby's Auction Pelé's Number 10 shirt from the 1958 World Cup final sold at Sotheby's in New York for $4.9 million, the second‑most expensive football shirt ever. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pels-1958-world-cup-final-shirt-fetches-49-million-at-sothebys-auction ### 2026-07-16: Pelé's 1958 World Cup jersey sells for $4.9 million at auction Pelé’s 1958 World Cup final shirt sold at a New York auction for $4.9 million, becoming the sport’s second‑most expensive jersey. 64 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pels-1958-world-cup-jersey-sells-for-49-million-in-new-york ### 2026-07-10: Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball auctioned with $2.5 million start Heritage Auctions will sell Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball, starting at $2.5 million; the iconic match ball could fetch over $10 million amid rising sports‑memorabilia interest. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-auctioned-with-25-million-start ### 2026-06-30: Diego Maradona’s past remarks and new documentary surface ahead of 2026 World Cup Maradona’s viral 2026 World Cup criticism resurfaces, and ESPN debuts a documentary on his 2000 Azteca visit as the tournament approaches. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diego-maradonas-past-remarks-and-new-documentary-surface-ahead-of-2026-world-cup ### 2026-06-29: Argentina commemorates 40 years since 1986 World Cup triumph Argentina marks 40 years since the 1986 World Cup win, honoring Maradona’s heroics and goalkeeper Pumpido, while noting Unión de Santa Fe’s silence amid FIFA’s personal tribute. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diego-maradona-commemorated-on-1994-doping-scandal-and-1986-world-cup-victory-anniversaries ### 2026-06-25: Maradona's 1986 World Cup match ball heads to auction The ball from Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup quarter‑final against England, famed for the “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”, is being auctioned by Heritage Auctions with a $2.5 million opening bid, and a 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-1986-world-cup-match-ball-heads-to-auction ### 2026-06-25: Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball to be auctioned starting at $2.5 million Heritage Auctions will sell Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball, starting at $2.5 million, with estimates up to $9.2 million. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-to-be-auctioned-starting-at-25-million ### 2026-06-25: Maradona's 1986 'Hand of God' World Cup ball heads to auction Heritage Auctions will sell the 1986 World Cup ball from Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, opening at $2.5 million; experts expect a multi‑million‑dollar final price amid a booming soccer‑memorabilia market. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-hand-of-god-photo-marks-40-years-since-1986-world-cup-goal ### 2026-06-24: Maradona's iconic 1986 World Cup jersey and 1994 nurse incident featured in new documentary A new documentary reveals how Maradona’s 1986 World Cup jersey was bought in Mexico’s Tepito market and also revisits the 1994 nurse who escorted him, linking both moments to his football legacy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-iconic-1986-world-cup-jersey-and-1994-nurse-incident-featured-in-new-documentary ### 2026-06-24: Peter Shilton declares peace with Maradona over 1986 Hand of God goal Peter Shilton, 76, says he’s letting go of the 1986 Hand of God dispute with Maradona after meeting Argentine players and a reconciliation ceremony in Chelmsford. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peter-shilton-forgives-diego-maradona-for-1986-hand-of-god-goal ### 2026-06-22: Maradona’s World Cup Debut and ‘Hand of God’ Matches Marked in Anniversary Tributes Anniversary pieces recall Maradona’s 1982 World Cup debut win over El Salvador in Alicante and his 1986 ‘Hand of God’ quarter‑final triumph over England. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-world-cup-debut-and-hand-of-god-matches-marked-in-anniversary-tributes ### 2026-06-22: Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' Goal Marks 40 Years Since 1986 World Cup Upset Diego Maradona’s hand‑ball goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter‑finals turns 40, still sparking debate as a historic football moment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-goal-marks-40-years-since-1986-world-cup-upset ### 2026-06-18: Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup feats recalled 40 years on Maradona called his 1986 World Cup round‑of‑16 win over Uruguay his best match, while his quarter‑final “Hand of God” against England still haunts former keeper Peter Shilton 40 years later. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diego-maradonas-1986-world-cup-feats-recalled-40-years-on ### 2026-06-01: Maradona's Hand of God and Goal of the Century Recalled Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup quarter‑final against England featured the controversial Hand of God handball and the celebrated Goal of the Century, noted for its skillful solo run. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maradonas-hand-of-god-and-goal-of-the-century-recalled ### 2026-05-12: Cannes premieres 'The Match' documentary revisiting Maradona's 1986 'Hand of God' game Cannes premieres 'The Match' documentary on Maradona's 1986 Hand of God World Cup game. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cannes-premieres-the-match-documentary-revisiting-maradonas-1986-hand-of-god-game --- Cite as: Football memorabilia auctions hit new peaks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maradona-hand-of-god-legacy