Jáminton Campaz says he has not returned to Colombia with the national team following him FIFA World Cup Withdrawal, as new reports claim that the player stayed behind as a security guard after receiving death threats after the defeat in Switzerland. This comes a day after the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) publicly condemned the abuse of Campaz and his family, while urging authorities to investigate those responsible.Colombia’s World Cup campaign came to a sad end on Tuesday after a penalty shoot-out loss to Switzerland in the Round of 16. Campaz, who plays for Argentina’s Rosario Central, endured one of the most brutal moments of the tournament when he missed a golden chance to win the match at the end of extra time.
Colombia’s Jaminton Campaz (21) misses a goal as Switzerland’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (1) defends during the Round of 16 soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
With less than six minutes to go, the 26-year-old fired in a cross as the scores were locked at 0-0. Despite recovering to convert his penalty in the shootout, Colombia eventually lost 4-3 and went out.According to that Argentina shopping center InfobaeCampaz did not board the Colombia team’s return flight from Vancouver to Bogotá on Thursday because of concerns for his safety following online abuse and death threats.Several senior players, including James Rodríguez, Davinson Sánchez and Juan Fernando Quintero, were among those who returned home with the rest of the team. Campaz, however, says he was never found on the plane. It is not known whether he stayed in the United States or was aborted in Argentina, where he had a contract with Rosario Central.
Colombia’s Jaminton Campaz reacts after losing to Switzerland during the World Cup round of 16 penalty shootout between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The proposed decision follows days of constant harassment on social media after he was deported from Colombia. Campaz later disabled comments on its accounts before posting a heartfelt message asking supporters not to let frustration turn into hate.“Football is also made of difficult times,” he wrote alongside a picture of himself covering his face in frustration.“My Colombia, please don’t forget respect. We may think differently or feel hurt and sad, but no passion justifies hatred or fear.”Reflecting on the tournament, Campaz added that representing his country has fulfilled a lifelong dream.“Since I was a child, I dreamed of defending the colors of Colombia, hearing the music, representing millions of people, and scoring a goal in the World Cup. Today, I can thank God for allowing me to fulfill that dream. These are the memories I will have forever.“I want to thank everyone who stood with us during this World Cup – those who believed in us, cheered us on until the last minute, and never lost faith. I would also like to thank my family, who have been my strength every step of the way and have been by my side through the happiest and most difficult times. “He also acknowledged the country’s disappointment following the Round of 16 exit.“For the rest of the world, I can say that I share the pain of this removal. We, too, longed to move forward, and I know the sadness we have today as Colombians.“I am very sorry that I was not able to bring you the joy that we all hoped for, but I want you to know that there was no lack of sacrifice, dedication, or love for this jersey. I gave everything I had on the field, and I would have done it for my country many times over. “The Colombian Football Federation responded on Friday with a strong statement condemning Campaz and those close to him, while calling on the country’s Attorney General’s office to identify those responsible and prosecute them as soon as possible.“No athlete, or any member of their team, should be threatened for representing their country in the stadium,” said the federation.“Football should be a place of unity, respect, and hope, not a place of hatred, fear or violence.”The story has been compared to one of the darkest moments in the history of Colombian football. In the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal as Colombia lost to the hosts, resulting in the team’s elimination. A few days after returning home, Escobar was murdered outside a nightclub in Medellín, a tragedy that remains one of the most painful topics in football.While there is no suggestion that Campaz is facing the same fate, reports that he has decided not to return to Colombia immediately reflect the severity of the threats that followed his exit from the World Cup. The federal intervention and its call for a criminal investigation now puts the focus on finding the perpetrators of the abuse rather than allowing sports frustrations to escalate into real threats.
