Who is Jáminton Campaz? Colombian World Cup star forced into hiding after death threats over missed chance (Image via Getty)Colombia forward Jáminton Campaz has gone into hiding after receiving death threats following his country’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 26-year-old footballer missed a major scoring chance in extra time during Colombia’s Round of 16 clash against Switzerland. The match ended 0-0 before Switzerland won in the penalty shootout. According to reports, Campaz did not return to Colombia with the rest of the national team, and his whereabouts have not been made public. The Colombian Football Federation has strongly condemned the threats and called for an investigation into the matter.Who is Jáminton Campaz? A look at the Colombia forward’s football journeyJáminton Campaz is a Colombian professional footballer who currently plays for Argentine club Rosario Central. Born in Tumaco, Colombia, Campaz first gained attention for his performances with Deportes Tolima before moving abroad to continue his career. Known for his speed, dribbling ability and attacking style, he gradually earned opportunities with the Colombian national team.For many players, representing their country at a World Cup is the biggest achievement of their career. Campaz has openly spoken about how much wearing the Colombia shirt means to him. That is why the team’s World Cup exit has been especially painful for the forward.After the defeat, Campaz shared a long message on Instagram. He said playing for Colombia had been a dream since childhood.“Since I was a boy, I dreamed of defending the colors of Colombia, hearing the anthem, representing millions of people, and scoring a goal in a World Cup.”He also thanked supporters and his family for standing by him throughout the tournament. Addressing the disappointment of the result, he added:“I deeply regret not being able to give you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that dedication, commitment, and love for this jersey were never lacking. I gave everything I had on the pitch, and I would do it a thousand times over for my country.”Why did Jáminton Campaz receive death threats after Colombia’s World Cup exit?The backlash began after Colombia’s knockout match against Switzerland. Campaz missed a clear opportunity in extra time that could have changed the outcome of the game. Switzerland eventually advanced after winning the penalty shootout, ending Colombia’s World Cup campaign.Soon after the match, threats targeting Campaz reportedly appeared online. According to Al Jazeera, the Colombian Football Federation released a statement condemning the intimidation directed at the player.The federation said that no athlete, or anyone close to them, should face threats for representing their country. It also called on authorities to investigate the situation.The incident has brought back memories of one of the darkest moments in Colombian football history. In 1994, defender Andrés Escobar was shot and killed in Medellín days after scoring an own goal during the World Cup, a tragedy that remains deeply remembered in the country.While there is no indication of any similar situation today, the comparison highlights why football authorities reacted quickly to the threats against Campaz.For now, the Colombian forward remains away from public view as concerns about his safety continue. Football officials and supporters have urged people to respect players and remember that mistakes are part of sport, even on the biggest stage.