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Colombia soccer star receives death threats after World Cup mishap
Colombia soccer player Jaminton Campaz has been subject to death threats following a missed chance in the team’s World Cup exit. (This video contains AI-assisted content.)
The Colombian Soccer Federation, 32 years after the murder of Andres Escobar following his 1994 World Cup own goal, condemned death threats made against midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family
Campaz missed a crucial scoring chance in extra time during Colombia’s Round of 16 loss to Switzerland in a penalty shootout earlier this week
After the match, the player’s social media accounts were flooded with negative comments and threats. He limited comments on his social media and, as a precaution, did not take the return flight to his home country with his teammates
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Jaminton Campaz of Colombia is in action during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on July 7, 2026.(Xia Bohan/VCG
“No athlete, nor any member of their camp, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting context,” the federation said
“The executive committee of the Colombian Football Federation expresses its full solidarity with and support for Jaminton Campaz, his family, all the players in the Colombia national team and the delegation as a whole. It also calls on the Attorney General’s Office to carry out, as swiftly as possible, the necessary investigations to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible for these acts.”
“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope — never a setting for hatred, intimidation or violence,” the federation said, calling on fans to ensure sporting disappointments never translate into real-world aggression.”
Johan Mojica, Luis Diaz, Jaminton Campaz and Yerry Mina of Colombia are pictured during a penalty shootout in the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, on July 7, 2026.(Meng Yongmin/Xinhua
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On Instagram, Campaz shared a photo of himself covering his face in frustration alongside a plea for respect
“Football is also made up of difficult moments,” he wrote. “My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may think differently or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear.”
The federation also urged the country’s attorney general’s office to expedite an investigation to identify those responsible for the threats
Escobar was killed in Medellin days after Colombia’s 2-1 loss to the United States, the host of the 1994 World Cup
Jaminton Campaz reacts during a penalty shootout in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, on July 7, 2026.(Christopher Morris/ISI Photos)
Switzerland will face Argentina for a spot in the World Cup semifinals at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday
The Associated Press contributed to this report
