Colombia

Los Cafeteros made their official debut in international competitions in 1938, participating in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, it wasn't until 1962 that Colombia made its first appearance in the World Cup, held in Chile. Colombia experienced limited success in international competitions during the 1970s and 1980s. The team had moments of competitiveness but struggled to qualify for major tournaments. The 1990s marked a golden era for Colombian football. Under the leadership of coach Francisco Maturana and featuring a generation of talented players, Colombia qualified for three consecutive FIFA World Cups in 1990, 1994, and 1998. Colombia won its first major international trophy by clinching the Copa América in 2001, hosted by Colombia. The team defeated Mexico in the final, marking a historic achievement for Colombian football. Colombia qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2006, 2014, and 2018. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil saw a remarkable performance as the team reached the quarterfinals, with James Rodríguez winning the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.