The Colombian team’s campaign has gradually moved northward through Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, and Kansas City over the past three weeks. A massive wave of supporters is now pouring into Vancouver, eager to see Néstor Lorenzo’s side try to reach their first quarter-final in twelve years when they face Switzerland on Tuesday. After Mexico and the United States, “yellow fever” is about to sweep across Canada.
This type of fan migration, which has infused host cities with vivid color and excitement, hasn’t been seen since the 2014 quarter-final, when Colombia supporters journeyed in huge numbers to Brazil, drawn not only by the short distance but also by the reality that the national team hadn’t reached a World Cup for almost a generation. James Rodríguez, the breakout star of that event, spoke to fans before traveling to North America as captain this year, following trouble during Colombia’s presence at the 2024 Copa América in the US.
“They should understand that we always give our all, and that this positive energy – when expressed in the right spirit, including through social media – is infectious. You can sense it, and I just ask them to bring those good vibes, maintain them, and behave appropriately,” said Rodríguez.
Rodríguez hasn’t managed to stamp his authority on this World Cup. He was taken off at halftime in the round-of-32 win over Ghana in Kansas City, the city where the Colombian squad stepped out onto their hotel balcony the evening before the match to hear fans serenade them, with several players clearly emotional. And this happened in Kansas City, an area without a significant Colombian community. Luis Díaz, now the side’s talisman, shared on social media: “Thank you for your support. You are incredible!”
Juan Carlos Mila (far right) and his family have covered more than 7,000 miles in a rented minivan, trailing the team throughout the tournament.
Chasing the Colombian team at the World Cup has become a family mission. Juan Carlos Mila, age 54, had never attended one previously. This year, he traveled to North America with his wife and their children, along with their partners. They flew to Mexico City for the opening game against Uzbekistan, then headed back to Colombia after failing to secure tickets for the next group match against DR Congo in Guadalajara.
Upon arriving in the United States, they fully committed, hiring a minivan to crisscross the country. They’ve clocked up 7,000 miles traveling to the match in Miami versus Portugal and then the knockout clash with Ghana in Kansas City. Now they’re heading to New York, hoping to watch Lorenzo’s squad in the final.
“We packed T-shirts, traditional vueltiaos hats, caps, and Colombian flags,” says Mila. “My kids, enterprising as they are, began selling them. This helps cover the van rental, fuel, meals, and accommodation. I asked if they felt embarrassed doing this, and they replied: ‘No, Dad, you’d be embarrassed if you were caught thieving.’ Why should we be ashamed?”
Mila and his relatives have also worked hard to be noticed inside the venues. “We created a flag about six meters long and cut six holes in it,” he explains. “We stick our heads through the holes. It reads ‘Colombia Mundial 2026’.”
The Mila family with their six-metre-long flag.
The vast support for Colombia has caught their rivals off guard. “This is the first match that we’re effectively playing away from home,” said Roberto Martínez ahead of his Portugal team’s game with Colombia. “There’s an enormous presence of Colombian fans here in Miami, so it’ll be a major challenge to manage the game and stay true to ourselves in this environment while keeping our emotions under control.”
Ghana’s manager, Carlos Queiroz, was equally stunned. The Portuguese coach led Colombia from 2019 to 2020 but never experienced a competitive match with fans due to the pandemic. “Colombia have quality players, passion, and amazing supporters,” he said after Ghana’s elimination in a Kansas City stadium filled with yellow. “They began winning the match right after the anthem. With 60,000 people behind them, they were stronger, which impacted a less experienced team. I could tell some of my Ghana players weren’t calm because Colombia’s 12th man performed brilliantly.”
However, the Colombian jersey has become a point of contention at home. The World Cup kicked off around the same time as the second round of voting in presidential elections. Abelardo de la Espriella, the right-wing candidate who has since been elected president, was seen in public wearing a Colombia shirt, prompting objections from his left-wing opponent, Iván Cepeda.
“The national team belongs to all Colombians. Exploiting it for political, personal, or ideological aims is an obviously opportunistic act, and one should look into its legal ramifications,” said Cepeda. After the Colombian Football Federation stated it lacked the legal authority to restrict the use of the shirt, Cepeda eventually donned it at his own campaign rallies.
Leaving that matter aside, the Colombia side remains a unifying force, and on Tuesday they aim to prolong their World Cup journey. Another strong turnout of fans is expected at Vancouver Stadium. “The players want this more than anyone. As supporters, we’re following from a distance with great hope, encouragement, and longing,” says Mila. “They’ll step onto the field ready to give everything. They don’t want to lose possession or lose the match. That spirit is infectious.”
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