A judge in Bogotá has permitted far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella to wear the Colombian national football team jersey during his campaign [1].
The ruling settles a heated dispute over whether a national sporting symbol can be used for political gain during a presidential race. Because the 2026 World Cup is occurring simultaneously with the election cycle, the jersey has become a flashpoint for competing visions of national identity.
The controversy began earlier this month when Senator Iván Cepeda, a left-wing politician, accused De la Espriella of opportunism [2]. Cepeda said the candidate was improperly using the national symbol to capitalize on the popularity of the football team [2].
Legal representatives for De la Espriella challenged the notion that a candidate could be barred from wearing the team's colors. Santiago Trespalacios, an attorney for De la Espriella, said the situation was “insólito” [3].
While some reports indicated an initial prohibition on the garment's use, the judiciary provided a definitive ruling on June 12, 2026 [1]. The court said the candidate may continue to use the jersey throughout his campaign activities [1].
Both political figures have sought to align themselves with the passion surrounding the national team to attract voters. The clash highlights the deep polarization in Colombian politics, where even the colors of a sports team are subject to legal scrutiny, and political accusation.
““Insólito””
This legal battle reflects the broader struggle in Colombia to define national symbols in a polarized political climate. By attempting to restrict the use of the jersey, opponents sought to prevent a specific political ideology from claiming a monopoly on patriotism. The court's decision to allow the garment suggests a prioritization of individual expression and campaign freedom over the perceived neutrality of national sporting symbols.
