Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, Kansas City – Colombia 's World Cup journey has gradually been heading north for three weeks. Thousands of their supporters now descend on Vancouver looking to see Néstor Lorenzo's side try to reach their first quarter-final in 12 years when they face Switzerland on Tuesday. After Mexico and the United States, "yellow fever" is about to hit Canada .
This sort of fan migration, which has filled host cities with vibrant colour and joy, has not been seen since that last quarter-final in 2014, when Colombia supporters travelled in massive numbers to Brazil , not only owing to its proximity but also to the fact that the selección had not qualified for a World Cup for almost a generation before. James Rodríguez , the breakout star of that tournament, addressed the fans before travelling to North America as captain this year as there had been trouble when Colombia were in the US for the 2024 Copa América.
"They should know that we always give everything and that this positive energy – in the right spirit, by posting on social media as well – is contagious," said Rodríguez. "You feel it and I simply ask them to bring those good vibes, keep them going and that they do things properly."
Rodríguez has not been able to impose himself on this World Cup. He was substituted at half-time of the last-32 victory against Ghana in Kansas City, where the Colombia team came out on to the balcony of their hotel to be serenaded by supporters the night before the game, with some of the players visibly moved. And that was in Kansas City, where there is not a large Colombian population. Luis Díaz , the talisman in Rodríguez's place this tournament, posted on social media: "Thank you for your support. You are incredible!"
Following Colombia at the World Cup is a family affair. Juan Carlos Mila, 54, had never been to one before but this year he has travelled to North America with his wife and their children, who have brought their partners too. They flew to Mexico City for the opener against Uzbekistan before returning to Colombia having not managed to get tickets for the next group fixture against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Guadalajara.
Once they reached the US, they went all in, renting a minivan to zigzag across the country. They've racked up 7,000 miles on the road, taking in the game in Miami against Portugal and then the knockout tie against Ghana in Kansas City. From there, they are heading for New York, where they hope to see Lorenzo's side in the final.
"We brought T-shirts, vueltiaos hats, caps, Colombia flags," says Mila. "My kids, being entrepreneurs, started selling them. It all helps to pay for the vehicle rental, petrol, food, hotels. I asked them if they were embarrassed by having to do this and they said: 'No, Dad, it's embarrassing if you get caught stealing. Why would we be embarrassed?'"
Mila and his family have also made an effort to stand out in the stadiums. "We made a flag that is around six metres long and cut six holes into it," he says. "We put our heads through the holes. The flag says 'Colombia Mundial 2026'."
The level of Colombia's support has surprised their opponents. "This is the first game that we're playing 'away from home', so to speak," said Roberto Martínez before his Portugal side played Colombia. "There is a huge number of Colombia fans here in Miami, so it will be a big challenge to control the game and be ourselves in these surroundings, keeping our emotions in check."
The Ghana manager, Carlos Queiroz, was also taken aback. The Portuguese coach was in charge of Colombia between 2019 and 2020 but was never in the dugout for a competitive match with fans owing to the Covid pandemic. "Colombia have [good] players, passion and incredible fans," he said after Ghana were knocked out at a Kansas City Stadium packed full of yellow shirts. "They started to win the game after the anthem. They were stronger with 60,000 people on their side and it affects an inexperienced team. I felt some of my Ghana players were not calm because Colombia's 12th man did a very good job."
Interestingly, though, the Colombia shirt has become an issue of controversy back home. The start of the World Cup coincided with the second round of voting in presidential elections. Abelardo de la Espriella, the rightwing candidate who is now president-elect, appeared in public wearing a Colombia shirt and his left-wing rival, Iván Cepeda, took issue with it.
"The Colombia team is for all Colombians. Its use for political, personal and ideological purposes is a clearly opportunistic move and its legal implications should be examined," said Cepeda who, after the Colombian Football Federation said it did not have the legal capacity to limit the use of the shirt, ultimately wore it to campaign events himself.
Aside from that issue, the Colombia team continue to be a point of unity and, on Tuesday, they hope to extend their run at the World Cup. The players can expect another healthy contingent at Vancouver Stadium. "The players are the ones who want it most. Us, as fans, we're watching it from afar with great anticipation, support and yearning," says Mila. "They'll go out on to the pitch to give their all. They don't want to lose the ball or lose the game. That's contagious."
