Shakira Praises Colombia's World Cup Effort After Penalty Shootout Loss
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Colombia's national soccer team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing a penalty shootout to Switzerland.
- Singer Shakira expressed her disappointment but pride in the team's performance.
- She attributed the loss to fate, humorously stating that "God doesn't get involved in soccer."
Colombia's World Cup 2026 dream ended on July 7th, as Switzerland secured a dramatic 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout, dashing the South American team's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals. The match, held in a tense atmosphere, saw both teams battle fiercely, with Switzerland ultimately advancing to face Argentina.
Despite the heartbreaking elimination, Colombian superstar Shakira took to social media to offer a message of support and pride to her national team. She acknowledged the players' dedication and effort throughout the tournament, emphasizing that they gave their all. "My team played this World Cup with a commitment that makes us all proud," Shakira wrote in an Instagram Story.
Reflecting on the close contest, the singer humorously remarked on the unpredictable nature of soccer, stating, "It's clear that God doesn't get involved in soccer, because otherwise, we would have advanced to the quarterfinals." She recognized the shared emotions of the Colombian people, noting that the tears of players like Luis Dรญaz mirrored the feelings of every fan who cheered, sang, and celebrated the team's journey.
Shakira concluded her message with heartfelt gratitude for the team's representation, calling them "fighters" who made Colombians proud. "Even though this result doesn't meet our dreams, I want to thank this team of fighters with all my heart for representing us so well and making us feel so proud. I love you," she added, encapsulating the bittersweet sentiment of fans after a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful World Cup campaign.
Originally published by Prensa Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.