Since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, when only 13 invited national teams participated without a qualifying tournament, the competition has continued to expand and reach audiences around the world. European teams faced the challenge of traveling across the Atlantic by ship, making participation a demanding and expensive journey at the time. This evolution continued with the fifth World Cup in Switzerland in 1954, when participation increased to 16 teams and matches reached television audiences; the twelfth World Cup in Spain in 1982, which featured 24 national teams divided into six initial groups; and the 16th edition in France in 1998, when the tournament expanded to 32 teams. In 2026, the number increased to 48 teams, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico becoming the first three countries to co-host the tournament. These changes clearly demonstrate how cultural globalization has become increasingly evident in a sport that captivates and unites millions of people around the world.

The Colombian national team has competed in seven editions of the World Cup, featuring extraordinary players such as Freddy Rincón, Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Yerry Mina, and James Rodríguez. James Rodríguez won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer after scoring six goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Colombia reached the quarterfinals for the first time in its history. These players have contributed to some of the most memorable moments in Colombian World Cup history, showcasing the scoring talent, pride, and passion for soccer that have characterized the national team on the world stage.