FIFA President Celebrates Colombian Football's 100-Year Legacy in Bogotá

1 hour ago·1 min

Gianni Infantino travelled to Colombia to mark the centenary of the Colombian Football Association (FCF), using the occasion to celebrate what he called a nation defined by its love of the game. The gala dinner, held as Colombia hosted the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2024™, brought together legends, officials, and clubs from across the country.

A century in the making

Founded on 12 October 1924, the FCF has grown into one of South America's most celebrated football institutions. Over its 100-year history, Colombia have competed in six FIFA World Cup™ tournaments — 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, and 2018 — as well as three FIFA Women's World Cup™ editions in 2011, 2015, and 2023, reaching the quarter-final at the most recent tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

The association has also hosted three FIFA competitions on home soil: the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2011™, the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016™, and the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2024™.

Legends, honours, and a landmark evening

The celebration drew an extraordinary gathering of Colombian football royalty. Men's national team legends Luis Amaranto Perea, Adolfo Valencia, Fabián Vargas, Arnoldo Iguarán, Willington Ortiz, Óscar Córdoba, René Higuita, Jorge Bolaño, and Gerardo Bedoya were all in attendance, alongside former coach Francisco Maturana and current head coach Néstor Lorenzo.

Women's football was equally represented, with Daniela Montoya, Carolina Arias, Myriam Guerrero, and Liliana Zapata present. Thirty-six professional clubs and 34 regional associations also sent representatives to the evening.

Infantino and CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez each received the National Order of Sporting Merit. Long-serving Colombian football administrator Álvaro González, who has dedicated more than 60 years to the game with a particular focus on the amateur level, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.