Colombia player received death threats after World Cup loss to Switzerland

Colombia was viewed as a dark horse to win the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup, but Switzerland had other plans.

Colombia and Switzerland met in the Round of 16 in Vancouver last Tuesday, July 7, and were locked in a scoreless draw for the first 90 minutes. In the 115th minute of extra time, Jáminton Campaz had a wide-open look at goal and fired his shot over the crossbar.

While Campaz was one of three players to convert his penalty for Los Cafeteros, Colombia fell to Switzerland 4-3 on penalties.

There are plenty of reasons why Colombia lost, but fans blamed Campaz, to the point where the Colombia federation had to issue a statement condemning the death threats aimed at him.

“No athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena,” the statement reads, per the Associated Press.

There has been additional reporting that Campaz did not feel safe flying home to Colombia after Los Cafeteros’ World Cup ended.

Colombia defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in a loss to the United States at the 1994 World Cup and was fatally shot upon returning to Colombia.

“Campaz was supposed to board a flight Wednesday from Vancouver to Bogotá with teammates Davinson Sánchez, James Rodríguez and Juan Fernando Quintero, according to online news site Infobae,” the New York Post relayed. “He never got on the plane. It’s unknown if Campaz remains in the U.S. or flew to instead to Argentina — where he plays for Primera División Club Rosario Central.”

Three days ago, Campaz posted a lengthy Instagram caption about the World Cup and ended it by pleading for respect. Read the full statement below.

“Since a child I dreamed of defending the colors of Colombia, listening to the anthem, representing millions of people and scoring a goal in a World Cup. Today I can only thank God for allowing me to fulfill that dream. These are memories I will carry with me forever.

“I want to thank from the heart to all the people who were with us during this World Cup, to those who believed in us, encouraged us until the last minute and never stopped trusting. Thanks also to my family, who have been my strength in every step and have been by my side in the happiest moments and also in the most difficult.

“To the whole country I can only say I share the pain of this elimination. We also dreamed of moving forward and I know the sadness we feel today as Colombians. I’m deeply sorry that I couldn’t give you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that you never lacked the delivery, commitment or love for this shirt. I gave everything I had on the field and I would do it again a thousand times for my country.

“Football is also made of difficult moments. Today all you have to do is learn, get up and keep working to come back stronger.

“Mi Colombia, please never give up respect. We can think differently, feel frustration or sadness, but no passion justifies hate and living in fear.”