From July 29th – August 20th Colombia will play host to the Under 20s FIFA World Cup. It’s the biggest international sporting event to hit Colombian shores and should guarantee the country is a-buzz with a scintillating atmosphere throughout this period. The Colombian government has budgeted COL$150 billion for the event, making it one of the largest in the country and the hope is that the tournament will pave the way for Colombia to host future sporting events. One such event they hope to host is the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
England's Jack Wilshere, just one of the world-class players expected in Colombia this year
The Under 20s FIFA World Cup will play host to 24 teams from 6 footballing confederations. So far qualifications are unfinished, although Colombia, North Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, France, England, Spain, Croatia, Austria and Portugal are all confirmed. The tournament will take place in 8 cities throughout Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Manizales, Armenia, Pereira and Cali. The final will take place at Estadio el Campín, the main stadium in Colombia’s capital, Bogotá.
Recently ‘Nuestra Fiesta’ was selected as the official theme song of the tournament, blending elements of traditional Colombian sounds such as cumbia and vallenato to create an anthemic song aimed at generating excitement during the tournament.
The tournament is significant for Colombians not only as a template for future sporting events, but as a symbol of the country’s progress. FIFA has a long reputation of selecting countries that are developing in their reputations – take 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa as an example – and aiming to assist the country’s efforts. It’s hoped that by hoping successful Under 20s FIFA World Cup, Colombia can demonstrate not only their capability at hosting events, but their capability at managing massive international interest and welcoming an influx of travelers from all over the world.
It is our belief at See Colombia Travel that the Under 20s World Cup will show the world just how far Colombia has come, and how much the country is ready for the spotlight that’s coming its way. This, we hope, is only the beginning.