The Cafeteras return to the World Cup after their absence in France 2019, stepping back into the global spotlight with renewed energy and ambition. Colombia arrives at the 2023 tournament with clear expectations, aiming to turn the page on four years without a World Cup appearance and to show that its women’s program has grown into a force capable of competing with the sport’s elite. Their qualification for the 2023 edition came from a strong performance at the 2022 Women’s Copa América, where finishing second demonstrated that Colombia has built a roster ready to challenge the best teams in the world.
Yet, in terms of World Cup experience, Las Cafeteras do not boast the same depth of history as some traditional contenders. Their presence in prior tournaments has been sporadic, which makes the 2023 edition even more significant as a milestone for the program and a chance to establish consistency at the sport’s highest level.
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WhatHOW MUCH WORLD CUP HAS COLOMBIA PLAYED?
Colombia’s World Cup journey includes appearances in the 2011 edition in Germany and the 2015 event in Canada. These early campaigns meant the team did not participate in the first five Women’s World Cups and skipped the most recent tournament in France in 2019. In Germany, the Cafeteras faced a tough group with losses to Sweden and the United States and a goalless draw with North Korea, leaving them with a single point and no goals scored in that first foray into the world stage.
By the time Canada hosted the 2023 edition, Colombia displayed notable growth. They advanced to the knockout rounds, recording a victory against France (2-0), a draw with Mexico (1-1), and a loss to England (1-2) in the group stage. The Round of 16 brought a stern test as they encountered the United States, a team that would go on to claim the title, delivering a 2-0 exit for the Cafeteras. The performance reflected progress across the program, signaling that Colombian women’s football had evolved beyond its earlier limitations.
Forward Lady Andrade emerged as a key scorer for Colombia during the tournament, contributing important goals while teammates María Catalina Usme and Daniela Montoya Quiroz also left their mark on the score sheet. These moments underscored the growing depth in attack and the team’s capacity to challenge higher-ranked opponents on the world stage. (Goal)
In examining the broader context, the 2023 World Cup served as a proving ground for Colombia’s development model: investing in youth pipelines, expanding domestic leagues, and building a sense of national identity around the women’s team. For followers in North America, especially Canada and the United States, the tournament showcased a team that combined tactical discipline with genuine offensive threat, suggesting a trajectory toward steady competitiveness in future editions. The event also highlighted the importance of experience on the world stage, illustrating how a program with fewer previous appearances can still translate progress into meaningful results when the pathways and players align. (Goal)
As Colombia continues to refine its approach, the 2023 World Cup stands as a foundational chapter. The team’s journey demonstrates how a country with a growing football culture can ascend from sporadic participation to consistent qualification, while also illustrating the ongoing challenge of translating regional strength into sustained performance against the world’s top teams. The Cafeteras’ story resonates with audiences across North America, where fans track every milestone and look for signs of future breakthroughs that could propel Colombia to new heights in the sport. (Goal)
Source: Goal