Colombia player gets death threats after Vancouver FIFA World Cup match
Colombia’s FIFA World Cup dreams were dashed in Vancouver on Tuesday, losing to Switzerland on penalties.
It seems the Round of 16 loss at BC Place was not handled well by a number of fans in Colombia, and one player is taking the brunt of the criticism.
Midfielder Jaminton Campaz was one of three players to score for Colombia during the shootout, but it was a miss in extra time that drew harsh criticism. With five minutes left in extra time, Campaz had a clear shot at the Swiss net, but sailed it over the bar.
Thousands of Colombia fans cheered on their team at BC Place. (Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)
It was the best chance of the match, which went scoreless for 120 minutes. Had the 26-year-old scored, it would have surely sent Colombia to the quarter-final for the first time since 2014.
CAMPAZ MISSES A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY NEAR THE END OF EXTRA TIME 🇨🇴🤯 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lylL24Oywz
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2026
Campaz received death threats following the match, with Colombian sports journalist Camilo Pinto saying he didn’t immediately return to Colombia because of them.
This is a sensitive matter, particularly for Colombia, as it brings back memories of Andrés Escobar, who was shot and killed after he returned to Colombia following the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He had accidentally scored an own goal just 10 days earlier.
On Thursday, Campaz thanked fans for cheering them on and believing in the team. But he also addressed what he was subjected to.
“To the entire country, I can only say that I share the pain of this elimination. We too dreamed of advancing further, and I know the sadness we feel today as Colombians. I deeply regret not being able to give you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that my dedication, commitment, and love for this jersey were never lacking. I gave everything I had on the field, and I would do it again a thousand times for my country,” Campaz said in Spanish via Instagram.
“My Colombia, please let’s never forget respect. We can think differently, feel frustration or sadness, but no passion justifies hatred and living in fear.”
Colombia lost in agonizing fashion. (Lucas Medeiros/Offside)
The Colombian Football Federation has since condemned the death threats made toward Campaz.
“No athlete, nor any member of their entourage, should be subjected to intimidation for representing the country in a sporting setting,” the federation said in a statement released on Friday.
“The Executive Committee of the Colombian Football Federation expresses its full solidarity and support for Jaminton Campaz, his family, all the players of the Colombian National Team, and the delegation in general. It also requests that the Attorney General’s Office expedite the necessary investigations to identify, prosecute, and punish those responsible for these acts.”
“Football should be a space for unity, respect, and hope, never a stage for hatred, intimidation, or violence. Therefore, the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) calls on all Colombians to ensure that the differences inherent in sporting competition never translate into threats or aggression against those who dedicate their lives to representing the country.”