Colombia Aims for Sudamericano Sub-17 Championship After 33 Years

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 19, 2026 8:51 PM ET

Colombia Aims for Sudamericano Sub-17 Championship After 33 Years

Colombia’s under-17 national team reached the Sudamericano final in Paraguay. They will face Argentina to decide the title.

The match offers Colombia a chance to end a long wait. The country has not won this tournament since 1993.

Road to the final

Fredy Hurtado’s side eliminated Brazil in the semifinals. That victory served as partial revenge for the 2025 final loss.

Argentina reached the decider after beating Ecuador. The final will determine the South American champion.

Recent continental form

Colombia were runners-up in 2025 after a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout loss to Brazil. They also finished second in 2007.

The Tricolor claimed third place in 2005, 2009 and 2017. The team now aims to convert those podiums into a title.

Historical context and past champions

The last Colombian Sub-17 triumph came in 1993 in Armenia. That campaign remains the nation’s sole title at this level.

The coffee-growing region has hosted and celebrated youth winners in 1987, 1993 and 2005. Local cities included Pereira, Armenia and Tuluá.

1993 squad and legacy

Germán “Basílico” González coached the 1993 pre-youth team. His squad finished unbeaten and qualified for the World Cup in Japan.

The core group included Eduardo Calderón, Giribeth Cotes, Luis Oliveros and Exon Marín. Other members were Wilberto Pana, Jorge Bolaño and Ricardo Ciciliano.

Francisco Díaz
Jhon Vega
Jaider Medina
Luis Fernando González

Ronaldo’s emergence

Brazil’s Ronaldo announced himself at that same Colombian tournament. He scored eight goals at age 16 while playing for Cruzeiro.

Ronaldo starred in group matches staged in Tuluá and Pereira. Despite his haul, Brazil did not qualify for the World Cup in Japan.

What is at stake

The 2026 final in Paraguay offers Colombia a shot at a second Sudamericano Sub-17 crown. The gap since 1993 now spans 33 years.

Colombia aims to end that drought and secure a place among South America’s youth champions. Filmogaz.com will follow the match and report the outcome.