Football in Colombia

Football in Colombia has prospered into a highly revered and popular sport as there is a lot of passion regarding it amongst the residents. The National Football Team of Colombia has made four FIFA World Cup appearances. They were in the year 1962, 1990, 1994 and 1998. The sport of football in Colombia received a much need boost when it stood second in the Copa America South American Football Championship held in the year 1975. Ever since, the National Team had only improved and transformed into an elite team.

Colombian football achieved its second milestone in the International arena in the year 2000. It was when it came runner's up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup that was held in USA. This feat had hiked up the morale of the Colombian football players to such an extent that they finally won the big one in 2001. It was the Copa America this time.

Ever since the year 1993, the FIFA rank of Colombian National Football Team had fluctuated only a little bit. Its rank hovered around the 30-39 mark from the year 2002 through to the year 2007. But it achieved its highest position in the FIFA rankings in the year 1996 when it stood 4th. Its average position has been 21.

Colombia had also stood third in the under 20 World Cup Final in the year 2003 and 4th in the Under 17 World Cup Final, also in 2003. The Colombian Football Team also stood 4th in the FIFA Federations Cup in 2003.

Carlos Valderamma and Rene Higuita are two of the famous football players of Colombian origin