Colombia at the FIFA World Cup 2026: Los Cafeteros Ready to Reclaim Their Place at the Top

Colombia's 2026 return to the FIFA World Cup carries a distinct air of anticipation. A country of over 52 million fans, Colombia was excluded from 2022, an excruciating omission for a soccer-crazed country, but their successful qualification for the tournament in North America was one of the most spectacular runs in CONMEBOL qualifying, coming to an excellent end in second place in the South American group and showing signs of a squad that's growing into one that can achieve something great. The love of soccer in Colombia goes deep, from the streets of Bogotá and Medellín to the neighborhoods of Cali and Barranquilla, and Colombia, just next door in the continent of North America, now seems to be a World Cup country that the whole nation will be excited about.

Colombia last reached the peak of their game at a World Cup in 2014, when the team of striker James Rodríguez had the whole world enthralled, winning the Golden Boot in the process. The latest crop of players, many honed in Europe, could well create a similar level of excitement for Colombia. The country's fans, loud and passionate, need to get going on their World Cup 2026 Tickets now. There are literally millions of Colombian expats in the US already, and the crowds for their group matches and games in the round of 16 will be a lot of fun.

Can Colombia Make a Deep Run in 2026?

The core of the Colombia 2026 lineup is based around a midfield that is among the best in South American soccer. Luis Díaz, who has become one of the game's most feared wide forwards at Liverpool, offers explosive, pacey attacks, and goals that will make defenses throughout this tournament shudder. If he is fit and selected, James Rodríguez remains one of the continent's most creative passers. Richard Ríos and Jefferson Lerma provide the Colombian midfield with grit and stamina to play against the strongest sides in the world.

The Colombian campaign in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying has been one of the great stories of the 2026 qualifiers. They were unbeaten for a long time, beating teams as formidable as Argentina and Brazil, and, under the stewardship of coach Néstor Lorenzo, their soccer was open and optimistic and, above all, a joy to watch. Historically, the challenge for Colombia has been taking such good football to World Cups, where they've struggled to be consistently strong over knockout stages. This format, with a round of 32, should give Colombia a chance to avoid early exits, and allow more time to get into their rhythm.

A quarter-final would be good. The team is strong and currently in great form. Why not be a little greedy?

Visa Requirements for Colombian Fans Travelling to North America

There are different regulations for Colombian fans trying to go to each of the three host countries, so you need to plan ahead.

United States of America: Colombia is not on the list of visa-free countries for the United States. Colombian tourists need a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa in order to enter. The US Department of State has a dedicated resource for World Cup visitors at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas, which details the visa process, all paperwork needed and when you can expect the paperwork to arrive. Visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are particularly sought-after right now at the US Embassy in Bogotá and the US Consulate in Medellín, so if you haven't applied for your visa yet, do so immediately. You will need to submit a DS-160, have a valid passport, financial documents and documentation proving where you will be staying as well as return travel. You should apply about three or four months before the World Cup is set to begin.

Canada: Canada requires tourists from Colombia to obtain a visitor visa to enter the country. However, Colombian nationals with valid US visas can qualify to apply for an eTA when traveling by air — check the Government of Canada's official website for details. Canada is home to a growing Colombian community, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver, which could be a viable base option for fans attending matches in North America.

Mexico: Colombian citizens do not require a visa for Mexico as long as they plan to stay less than 180 days. All of the major host cities in Mexico will be available to you, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. It's a solid base and one you may want to consider if you have not yet received your US visa. Coupled with the cultural similarities and linguistic links between the two countries, there will surely be lots of Colombian fans using Mexico's major host cities as a base.

Host Cities: Where You'll Find Colombian Fans

Colombia's group stage fixtures are expected to take place across US host venues. You could see Los Cafeteros play in any or all of the following cities: Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), New Jersey (MetLife Stadium), Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) and Dallas (AT&T Stadium). MetLife is also the site of the 2026 World Cup Final, set to take place on July 19.

Miami: If you're traveling for this tournament, this is going to be the place to be. South Florida, and specifically Miami, has a larger Colombian population than any other US city. The city's suburbs of Doral and Weston are the places to be when you're looking for authentic Colombian food — restaurants serving bandeja paisa, arepas, aguardiente, and an overall football culture that you would see in a Colombian city like Bogotá or Medellín. Miami matches will, for all intents and purposes, serve as Colombians' local home game.

New York/New Jersey: A sizable Colombian presence inhabits the tri-state area, especially in Queens and New Jersey. The prospect of the Final being held at MetLife Stadium makes the New York/New Jersey region absolutely vital for every Colombian fan who wants to back Los Cafeteros through the entire tournament.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles boasts a sizeable, well-integrated Latin American community, and SoFi Stadium will deliver a truly elite footballing experience. Colombian fans will find home cooking, familiar culture, and community everywhere they go.

Staying Close: Where to Stay

Hotels and accommodations close to the biggest stadiums are booking up rapidly. Here's the lay of the land in each city:

Miami area: For Colombian fans, Doral and Weston are the most obvious choices as they already have a strong, established Latin community. If you prefer to be near Hard Rock Stadium but also want to be close to the clubbing and dining hubs, Brickell and downtown Miami are both in good positions. Aventura and Hialeah are cheaper but still very easy to reach.

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus are the closest towns to MetLife Stadium. Alternatively, if you want to stay in New York, Jackson Heights in Queens — one of the most cosmopolitan boroughs in the US and home to many Colombians — is a good, culturally engaging spot, with a NJ Transit ride to MetLife Stadium on tournament days.

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood. El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey are the three most logical places to stay, all within easy reach of the stadium by train on the Metro K Line.

Dallas: AT&T Stadium is located in Arlington, between the city of Dallas and the neighboring city of Fort Worth. While Arlington will make things a little less complicated on match days, Dallas's central downtown offers a better, more all-round experience if you're planning on sticking around for a few days, as there are far more bars, restaurants and clubs there.

Keep in mind that your priorities may well change according to where Colombia play in the latter stages, so go with sites that offer free cancellation, like Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia.

Flying Around: Flights and Transport

El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is Bogotá's main airport, connecting directly with Miami, New York's JFK, Los Angeles's LAX and Fort Lauderdale on flights operated by Avianca, American, United and LATAM. Medellín and Cali have their own airports too: José María Córdova Airport (MDE) in Medellín and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (CLO) in Cali, both of which provide additional departure options for the rest of Colombia.

Airfare on Colombia-US flights continues to climb as the World Cup draws closer. Those who have not yet arranged travel need to do so immediately. Southwest, Delta and American fly between every one of the US host stadiums several times daily, so connecting flights between cities will be relatively straightforward. Leave plenty of time between flights, ideally a full day in each city, to cover your back if any delays should occur.

Facing the Ticket Reality

Official tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are available for purchase directly via FIFA.com, the main destination for finding remaining ticket stock, official resale listings or hospitality packages. If there are matches you can't buy through these channels, stay off Reddit, Facebook and other social media sites. Buy from Ticombo, Seatpick, or any other reseller who is trustworthy and verified — there will be a markup but you're getting a legitimate purchase with a guarantee. Keep in mind that prices could increase on the secondary market. Fans purchasing for groups should make sure of adjacent seating availability, as that is not always possible and each venue has different configurations.

Practical Tips for Colombian Fans

Currency: US Dollars are the currency used at all venues and in host cities. Use an ATM rather than airport exchange desks, and get better rates through Wise and other services when converting from Colombian Peso.

Phone plans: Colombian SIMs from companies like Claro and Movistar are unlikely to offer a roaming package at US prices. Consider Airalo and other eSIM providers or a T-Mobile tourist plan for short-term travel.

Health insurance: There is no public healthcare in the US for visitors. Make sure that you travel with medical insurance.

Colombian Consulates: Colombia maintains consulates in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Chicago. Save these phone numbers before traveling.

Weather: July weather in Miami and Dallas is hot, with humid conditions similar to Cartagena and Barranquilla. Stay well hydrated, especially in outdoor fan zones.

Safety: The major World Cup host cities are well-policed during the tournament. Basic safety rules still apply — avoid showing off valuables, avoid unpopulated areas after matches, and keep valuables secure.

Final Thought

Colombia is back in the World Cup as one of the strongest squads from South American qualifying and the team will have fresh motivation to deliver a result after four years away. The energy from fans and the presence of so many Colombian nationals across the continent will mean Los Cafeteros will be surrounded by the atmosphere of a home crowd game in city after city.

Those who want to be part of it should act now. Colombia World Cup 2026 Tickets will be in hot demand and those who want them should secure them through trusted channels before the June deadline approaches.

Colombia are back. And they mean business.

Visa requirements, hotel availability, flight prices and ticket policies may all change. Fans should verify all entry information with their local government, the official website of FIFA and their airline of choice. Prices on the secondary market may also be higher than face value.