The Colombia national football team is preparing for its second match in the FIFA World Cup 2026, but two of its star players, James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz, are facing a lawsuit for 'betrayal of the country'.

What happened?

The lawsuit was filed verbally and is due to an image that circulated on social media of James and Díaz making the campaign salute of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. The photo was created with artificial intelligence.

Why is it important for the Colombia national football team?

The lawsuit can be a distraction for the team, which is focused on its next match against Congo DR on 2026-06-24. The Colombia national football team's last result was a 1-0 win against Uzbekistan on 2026-06-18.

What comes next?

The Colombian Football Federation is also involved in the lawsuit. Lawyers consulted by EL TIEMPO explained that all lawsuits must be admitted, but that does not mean the issue can move forward.

StatValue
Last resultUzbekistan 0-1 Colombia
Next matchvs Congo DR
Date of next match2026-06-24