Colombian President Gustavo Petro joined a send-off ceremony for the national football team on Thursday at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, wishing the squad success as they departed for a final pre-tournament warm-up match.
The team is travelling to the United States to face Jordan in San Diego on 7 June in their final friendly before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“You represent this country in all its corners, in all its desires, dreams and aspirations. You, together with all Colombians, wish for the best possible outcome at this World Cup — something special,” Petro told the players during the event at the airport’s Military Air Transport Command (CATAM) facility.
The president presented the national flag to officials of the Colombian Football Federation as a symbol of national support.
The squad is scheduled to travel to Mexico afterwards for their opening World Cup match against Uzbekistan on 17 June in Mexico City.
Colombia, drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan, enters the tournament in strong form and with high expectations. The South American side is widely regarded as a competitive contender as it prepares for the co-hosted World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Source: Reuters
