If you only watch the Colombian women’s national team during the World Cup every four years, you are missing the most chaotic, beautiful, and slightly stressful story in South American sports. Honestly, it’s a ride. Most people see the "Powerpuff Girls" (Las Chicas Superpoderosas) as this plucky underdog that suddenly showed up in 2023.
That's just wrong.
This team didn't just appear out of thin air. They fought—literally fought their own federation—for basic respect. They’ve gone from having no professional league to producing the most expensive female player in South American history. It’s been a messy, non-linear climb.
The Linda Caicedo Factor (and Why It’s Not Just Her)
You can't talk about Colombia without mentioning Linda Caicedo. She’s the face of the movement. Basically, she’s a generational talent who beat cancer at 15 and was starting for Real Madrid by 18. Just recently, in late 2025, she signed a massive contract extension with Madrid through 2031.
That’s huge. But here is the thing: leaning too hard on Linda is a trap.
While she was busy being the Golden Girl, players like Mayra Ramírez were rewriting what a Colombian striker looks like. Mayra moved to Chelsea for a then-record fee and has been tearing up the WSL, though she’s had a rough patch with a hamstring injury recently. She’s the muscle. Linda is the magic.
And then there’s Catalina Usme.
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If Linda is the future, Usme is the soul. She’s 36 now, playing for Galatasaray in Turkey, and she still strikes a ball better than almost anyone in the world. She holds the record for most goals (over 60) and caps for the national team. Without her leadership during the lean years when the federation barely gave them kits, there wouldn't be a team for Linda to lead today.
Why 2025 Was Bittersweet
Last year was... complicated.
Colombia made it to the Copa América Femenina final in August 2025. It was a classic. They faced Brazil, their eternal rivals. They fought to a 4-4 draw in a game that felt more like a street fight than a soccer match.
It went to penalties.
And, because soccer can be cruel, they lost. It was the fourth time they finished as runners-up. It hurts, but it also solidified their spot as the clear "Number 2" in South America, way ahead of Argentina and Chile right now. They aren't just participants anymore; they are contenders.
The Coaching Situation
Ángelo Marsiglia is the guy in the hot seat now. Taking over after the Nelson Abadía era was never going to be easy. Marsiglia has tried to make the team more tactical, less "vibes-based."
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Sometimes it works. Sometimes, like in their recent 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the Nations League, they look like they’re overthinking it. You can see the struggle between the natural Colombian flair—the toque-toque style—and the rigid European structure Marsiglia wants to implement.
The Reality of the Domestic League
We need to talk about the Liga Femenina back in Colombia. It’s sort of a mess.
While the national team is flying high, the local league still struggles with short seasons. In 2025, Deportivo Cali and Independiente Santa Fe were the big dogs, with Cali taking the title after a tense penalty shootout.
But the seasons are often only a few months long. How do you develop the "next Linda" if the girls only play competitively for 90 days a year?
Most of the stars have left.
- Leicy Santos is in the NWSL with Washington Spirit.
- Ana María Guzmán (the teenage phenom) is at Utah Royals, on loan from Bayern Munich.
- Jorelyn Carabalí is holding it down in Europe.
This "exodus" is good for the national team's quality, but it leaves the local game a bit hollow. It’s a paradox. To be great internationally, the players have to leave the country that made them.
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What’s Next: The 2026 Road Map
We are currently looking at a massive year. The SheBelieves Cup in March 2026 is the immediate litmus test. Colombia is scheduled to play the USWNT on March 7th in New Jersey.
That game is going to be a sell-out.
The fans in the US—the "Yellow Wall"—are louder than almost any other fanbase. If you’ve ever been to a Colombia match in the States, you know it’s basically a party with a soccer game happening in the middle.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this team or looking at the 2027 World Cup cycle, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Health of Mayra Ramírez: Colombia’s ceiling changes completely based on her fitness. Without her, they lack a "Plan B" when teams double-team Linda.
- The Set-Piece Weapon: Catalina Usme is still the most dangerous person on the field during a corner or free kick. As she gets older, her role as a "super-sub" or "set-piece specialist" becomes the team's secret weapon.
- The Defensive Gap: While the attack is world-class, the defense is still prone to "South American moments"—basically losing focus for five minutes and conceding two goals. This is what keeps them from beating teams like Spain or the USA consistently.
The Colombian women’s national team is no longer a "feel-good story." They are a powerhouse with flaws, led by a global superstar and a group of veterans who refuse to go away.
Keep an eye on the friendlies against France and the SheBelieves Cup results. That will tell you if they are ready to finally jump from "runners-up" to champions.
For those wanting to support the movement, the best thing you can do is actually watch the NWSL and Liga F matches where these women play. Visibility was the first thing they fought for; it's the one thing that keeps the funding coming.