Colombia’s official send‑off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 6 turned contentious when team captain James Rodriguez was accused of ignoring a photo request from President Gustavo Petro’s 17‑year‑old daughter, Antonella. the episode unfolded at the Military Transportation Air Command base in Bogotá, just before the squad departed for final preparations in the United States .

Rodriguez’s alleged refusal to pose with Antonella Petro

During the ceremony, Antonella Petro asked several players for a group picture; all complied except Rodriguez, who walked away, according to social‑media footage cited by the original report. He was described as “so macho with a little girl” by city council member Heidy Sanchez, who condemned the behavior as disrespectful... The incident quickly spread online, prompting a wave of criticism that framed the midfielder’s action as a snub of the president’s family.

Petro’s ceremonial flag and hat presentation to 26 players

President Petro, acting in his final days in office, presented the Colombian flag and a traditional Cordobán hat to each of the 26 squad members, a ritual meant to underscore humility and national pride. He delivereed a philosophical speech urging the team to prioritize “life, fraternity, and national pride over greed and personal fame,” as reported by the source.. The ceremony was meant to be a unifying moment, but the focus shifted to the alleged photo snub.

Political tension as court blocks right‑wing candidate’s use of team imagery

One day before the send‑off, a Bogotá court issued an injunction preventing right‑wing presidential hopeful Abelardo de la Espriella from using the national team’s jersey in his campaign, a move that heightened the political stakes surrounding any interaction with the squad. De la Espriella is set to face leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda, backed by Petro, in a runoff three weeks later , making the team a symbolic battleground in the upcoming election.

Contrasting imgaes: solemn send‑off vs smiling squad in San Diego

Later that day, the same players were capured boarding their flight to San Diego, California, laughing and posing for photos, a stark contrast to the formal atmosphere of the Bogotá ceremony. President Petro later posted images of himself kissing his daughter and of Antonella handing a gift to the team, attempting to shift the narrative toward family unity.

Did Rodriguez intentionally snub or was it a miscommunication?

The source does not provide Rodriguez’s own explanation, leaving open whether the gesture was deliberate or a simple misunderstanding. Without a direct comment from the midfielder, the story remains one‑sided, relying on observers and political opponents for interpretation.