Colombia returns to the World Cup in the USA after 32 years of defender tragedy
The Colombia team debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Wednesday (17), against Uzbekistan, at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. The return to football's main tournament takes place precisely in an edition based in North America, 32 years after one of the most tragic stories ever experienced by Colombian sport.
The last World Cup played in the United States, in 1994, was marked by the murder of defender Andrés Escobar a few days after the team's elimination. The defender made world football history after scoring an own goal in a 2-1 defeat to the United States, a result that contributed to Colombia's early fall in the group stage.
Escobar was killed in Medellín in the early hours of July 2, 1994, just ten days after the team's elimination. According to investigations, he was leaving a nightclub when he got involved in an argument and ended up shot.
The person who fired the shots was Humberto Muñoz Castro, driver of Pedro David and Santiago Gallón, businessmen who allegedly confronted the player before the crime. Muñoz was sentenced to 43 years in prison in 1995, but ended up leaving prison in 2005.
The murder occurred during a period of strong instability in Colombia, shortly after the death of Pablo Escobar. The case generated international repercussion and gave rise to several theories involving criminal groups, drug cartels and betting schemes.
More than three decades later, the Colombian team is trying to write a new chapter in its history. The Cafeteros return to the World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The classification came with a consistent campaign in the South American Qualifiers, ending with third place and 28 goals scored. Under the command of Néstor Lorenzo, runner-up in the 2024 Copa América, the team arrives encouraged by their good form and the expectation of repeating campaigns like those of 2014 and 2018, when they reached the round of 16.
Interestingly, Lorenzo was present at both World Cups as a technical assistant for the Colombian team. Now, at the head of the team, he tries to lead the country to another historic campaign in a tournament played again in North America.
Source: CNN