The president of the FCF left open the possibility that Bogotá and Medellín receive tricolor matches, provided they meet modern and large capacity stages.
Photo: EFE – Mauricio Dueñas Castañeda
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The future of Colombia's team in the next World Cup qualifiers could bring a historical change: the possibility that Barranquilla ceases to be the only house of the national team, a tradition that has been maintained since 1989.
The capital of the Atlantic was consolidated as a fort of the 'tricolor', since from there six of the last seven classifications to World Cups have been held, including the most recent against Bolivia to 2026. However, the president of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), Ramón Jesurún, opened the door so that other cities of the country have the opportunity to receive the national team on the road to the 2030s.
Barranquilla remains firm, but not exclusive
In an interview with Caracol Radio, Jesurún highlighted the atmosphere lived in the Metropolitan Stadium on the last day: “Barranquilla fulfilled. The public was wonderful, it was the Barranquilla that had sometimes been lost, it was again that warmed our boys the whole game”. However, he stressed that the country deserves to see the national team in different scenarios, although he acknowledged that the current state of several stadiums represents a challenge.
The infrastructure challenge
Jesurún pointed out that Colombia went from being a reference in South America in terms of stadiums to fall back in capacity and modernization: “We have to refract and enlarge our stadiums. That is a debate that must be opened with the mayors, because they are public property scenarios,” he said.
In that line, he revealed that he has already held conversations with the administrations of Barranquilla, Bogotá and Medellín. The capital of the country advances in the construction of a new stadium with capacity for 50,000 spectators, whose delivery is scheduled by the end of 2027. In Medellín, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced the remodeling of Atanasio Girardot, a project that is expected to have progress in September.
The panorama towards 2030
With these plans underway, the scenario for the World Cup Qualifiers could be very different. Bogotá would have a modern and broad stadium, Medellín would have a renewed athanasius and Barranquilla works in the refaction of the metropolitan, which seeks to maintain its status as the main headquarters.
The final decision is not yet taken, but the FCF message is clear: the Colombian team could be itinerant in the country, provided that the cities guarantee scenarios at the height of international competition.
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