Colombia attacking midfielder Jaminton Campaz has reported that he is living in fear in the wake of the country’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The report has brought back flashes of the tragic killing of Colombia defender Andres Escobar who was shot in the South American nation after scoring an own goal that led to Colombia’s exit from the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Looking to avoid a repeat of that devastating incident, Colombia’s Football Federation has called on the country’s Attorney General to investigate Campaz’s issue that reportedly involves death threats to his family.
The Federation also stated that, “No athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena.”
After qualifying from the group phase, Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 in the round of 32 to qualify to the round of 16 stage.
However, Colombia lost in a penalty shootout to Switzerland after the game ended goalless beyond extra time.
Prior to the penalty shootout, 26 year old Campaz had a glorious chance in the 114th minute in extra time to seal the win for Colombia but blazed his curled attempt over the bar. (Scroll down to watch video)
According to the New York Post, Campaz refused to join his teammates to board a flight to Colombia with teammates James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero after the team’s exit and his location at the time of writing remains unknown.
🚨 Attention.
If you watched the Switzerland vs. Colombia match until the very end, you probably remember Jhaminton Campaz’s heartbreaking miss, when the Colombian midfielder blasted the ball over Gregor Kobel’s crossbar.
That miss has reportedly left Campaz unable to return… pic.twitter.com/8goNugQPNY— Romanke0 (@Romanke0) July 10, 2026
Campaz released a statement on his instagram page where he shared his regret over Colombia’s exit.
“My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may hold different views or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear. I deeply regret not being able to bring you the joy we all hoped for, but… I gave everything I had on the pitch, and I would do it a thousand times over for my country” he wrote.
