The Colombia National Team is controlled by the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol. The team is often considere third best in ability in the CONMEBOL region; they are stronger compare to Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Bolivia, not quite as strong as Brazil and Argentina and at times find themselves evenly matched with Paraguay, and Uruguay. They are also known for producing good performances in preliminary tournaments and friendlies but seem to collapse in important matches. Recently, Colombia has shown ability to play Brazil and Argentina competitively.

The team has been peripherally involved in two of the greatest personal tragedies to hit football in recent years. In 1994, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in a World Cup match against the United States; shortly after the team returned to Colombia, Escobar was murdered. In 2003, at a Confederations Cup semifinal, the Colombians watched as Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé collapsed and died on the pitch due to an undetected heart condition.