Colombia opens World Cup campaign against Uzbekistan with Luis Diaz playing
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 2:15 AM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Colombia began its 2026 World Cup journey against Uzbekistan on June 17 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Luis Díaz made his World Cup debut, a moment with deep personal significance stemming from his father's kidnapping three years prior. Díaz's father, a respected figure in Barrancas, was held hostage for nearly two weeks. His release in November 2023 was a major event for the family and the country. The match status is currently ongoing.
- •Luis Díaz plays as Colombia faces Uzbekistan in the World Cup opener.
- •Díaz's father was kidnapped in October 2023 and held for 12 days.
- •Colombia seeks a strong start in the tournament against a debuting Uzbekistan.
- •Event held at Estadio Azteca, a historic venue for World Cups.
- •Match status described as ongoing with no current result.
- 5:52 AMYahoo Sports — Colombia's Luis Díaz stars in World Cup debut, less than 3 years after his parents' kidnapping
- 2:15 AMYahoo Sports — Luiz Diaz plays in Colombia vs Uzbekistan World Cup clash three years after parents’ kidnapping
"After contributing a goal and an assist in his World Cup debut, Colombia's Luis Díaz walked to the sidelines to look for his father. “A lot of things came to me from the past,” Díaz said after Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Wednesday night. First, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
"Luis Díaz’s World Cup debut for Colombia holds a significance that goes well beyond the pitch. Colombia open their 2026 World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday, June 17, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 5:52 AMColombia's Luis Díaz stars in World Cup debut, less than 3 years after his parents' kidnapping
After contributing a goal and an assist in his World Cup debut, Colombia's Luis Díaz walked to the sidelines to look for his father. “A lot of things came to me from the past,” Díaz said after Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Wednesday night. First, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 2:15 AMLuiz Diaz plays in Colombia vs Uzbekistan World Cup clash three years after parents’ kidnapping
Luis Díaz’s World Cup debut for Colombia holds a significance that goes well beyond the pitch. Colombia open their 2026 World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday, June 17, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
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