Colombia's election turns into a soccer showdown over World Cup dreams

Soccer has taken centre stage in Colombia’s election campaign. Left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda has proposed that the country should host the FIFA World Cup. He called on the government to make the bid a national priority. Cepeda’s suggestion comes as he prepares to face Abelardo de la Espriella in the June 21 presidential runoff. De la Espriella won the first round with 43% of the vote. A recent Atlas-Intel poll now gives him 52% support ahead of the decider.

The Supreme Court of Justice recently reversed a ban preventing De la Espriella from using the national team’s jersey as a campaign symbol. This move highlights the growing political significance of football in the race. Cepeda, despite previously criticising the use of soccer for political gain, now sees hosting the tournament as a major opportunity.

Colombia has a complicated history with the World Cup. It remains the only country to have withdrawn as a host, abandoning the 1986 tournament. The current debate also follows protests from athletes over budget cuts under Petro’s administration. The runoff will decide whether Cepeda or De la Espriella leads the country. Both candidates now engage with soccer as a key campaign issue. The winner may determine Colombia’s next steps in pursuing a World Cup bid.