A total solar eclipse occurred on October 12, 1958. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible in Tokelau, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Chile and Argentina. This solar eclipse occurred over 3 months after the final game of 1958 FIFA World Cup.