While in South Africa to watch the World Cup, US Vice President Joe Biden extolled that football had the “power to bring communities and nations together.” It also contributed to a four-day war fought between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. Declassified Central Intelligence Bulletins provide a pretty exciting day-by-day account of what is now know as “The Football War.”
On 8 June 1969, the Honduran national soccer team defeated El Salvador 1-0 at home in a World Cup qualifying match. A week later, Honduras traveled to El Salvador and lost 3-0. Nationalist sentiment was flaring in both countries. Finally, on June 26, the two teams played a playoff match in Mexico City. In overtime, El Salvador defeated Honduras 3-2 and eventually advanced to the 1970 World Cup. On the same day as the playoff , El Salvador broke diplomatic relations with Honduras.
