STORY: The match ball from Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England — made famous by Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal — is set to go up for auction with a $2.5-million opening bid, Heritage Auctions said.

The item, which the auctioneers describe as the “holy grail” for collectors, could fetch a price comparable to the $9.2 million paid in 2022 for Maradona’s match-worn shirt from the same game, according to the auction house.

Mike Provenzale, a specialist auctioneer at Heritage, said there were no direct comparables for what the ball might fetch in the auction.

'The Hand of God' is a moment that even if you know nothing about soccer, you've heard of it, you know the story. So it kind of even just transcends the sport and it's gone into folklore," Provenzale told Reuters from the Javits Center convention site Friday (July 17).

In his interview, Provenzale recounted the story of the ball after the match. First, it was kept by the head referee who had his colleagues sign the ball. That private seller is now selling through Heritage.

In the interim, a photo matching company has been able to confirm the ball is indeed the one from the '86 match, Provenzale said.

The timing of the auction comes amid a growing boom in soccer collectables, further fuelled by the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Of course the ball can only benefit from Argentina's continued run in the World Cup that will culminate in the final match against Spain on Sunday (July 19).

"Everything's going great for the ball," Provenzale said. "It kind of parallels the run back then. There's even been some talk about Argentina getting favourable treatment from the referees, which I don't know if it was favourable treatment for the 'Hand of God' or just a missed call. But a lot of it, that goal and that World Cup run for Argentina, has aligned with their run this year."

The ball will go to auction at Heritage from the end of this month until the weekend of August 21-23.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF SOCCER BALL USED IN 1986 ENGLAND VS. ARGENTINA QUARTERFINALS MATCH IN WHICH DIEGO MARADONA COMPLETED THE "HAND OF GOD" AND "GOAL OF THE CENTURY" ON DISPLAY AT JAVITS CENTER FANATICS FAN FEST

2. VARIOUS OF HERITAGE AUCTIONS PRODUCTION MANAGER, MIKE PROVENZALE, DURING INTERVIEW

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HERITAGE AUCTIONS PRODUCTION MANAGER, MIKE PROVENZALE, SAYING:

"There's certainly been some valuable items from this World Cup. The game-winning ball from Argentina over England would be valuable, but the difference is, 'The Hand of God' is a moment that even if you know nothing about soccer, you've heard of it, you know the story. So it kind of even just transcends the sport and it's gone into folklore. And Diego Maradona is the same way. He was an incredible player, one of the greatest of all time, a great character. Him naming the 'Hand of God' ball is a great plus. So it has this great story."

4. VARIOUS OF BALL ON DISPLAY, IN FRONT OF EXPLAINER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HERITAGE AUCTIONS PRODUCTION MANAGER, MIKE PROVENZALE, SAYING:

"Argentina's had an amazing run, a lot of dramatic finishes. They ended up having a rematch with England again and once again breaking England's heart. And then they're going to end up in the final and have a great chance to win it. So everything's going great for the ball. It kind of parallels the run back then. There's even been some talk about Argentina getting favourable treatment from the referees, which I don't know if it was favourable treatment for the 'Hand of God' or just a missed call. But a lot of it, that goal and that World Cup run for Argentina, has aligned with their run this year."

6. BALL ON DISPLAY

7. WIDE OF HERITAGE AUCTIONS STAND

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HERITAGE AUCTIONS PRODUCTION MANAGER, MIKE PROVENZALE, SAYING:

"There are certainly some great items that have happened (in the 2026 World Cup). There'd be some jerseys from Cape Verde's run, or some of the underdogs who have made it. [Norwegian striker Erling] Haaland, of course, you know, material he wore would be special, and collectors love bookend items. So [Leo] Messi and Ronaldo, their last World Cup, so those would be bookend jerseys from their last game, but nothing from this World Cup can touch this one ['Hand of God' ball]."

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (ARCHIVE - 1986) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. VARIOUS OF DIEGO MARADONA RECEIVING FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY AT AZTECA STADIUM AFTER VICTORY OVER WEST GERMANY IN FINALS