World Cup Fever: Colombia, epicenter of trading cards and collecting

The passion for the World Cup unleashes every four years a tradition that unites fans of all ages: completing the album with the stickers of their favorite players. This collector’s fever transforms shopping centers, parks and squares into exchange scenarios, where the negotiation of repeated stickers is the daily bread.

A meeting point for collectors

In Bogotá, places like the Gran Estación shopping center become nerve centers. There, in front of the specialized stores, collectors gather with handwritten lists or in digital files, some even using applications to organize their collection.

The key question among collectors is always the same: “Do you have stickers to trade?”. From there, the bartering begins. Children, young people, adults, and seniors display piles of duplicate trading cards, desperately seeking that elusive sticker they need to complete their collection. Parents and children share the excitement of this tradition, looking for names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lamine Yamal, the most coveted stars, capable of stopping conversations and generating intense negotiations.

For me it’s very important because it’s like having the memory of the World Cup, of the players who were there.

Diego Casas, collector

The tradition continues

Although some opt to buy complete boxes of packs to speed up the process, many enjoy the exchange. They prefer the search, the haggling, and the camaraderie that is experienced in these meeting points. However, this edition presents an additional challenge. The numbering system of the players, from 1 to 20 per team, has complicated the task for some collectors.

Exchanges are not limited to shopping malls. Neighborhoods like Pablo VI also become meeting points, with street vendors where individual sheets can be purchased. Stars, shields, and commemorative cards can fetch significant prices, but many collectors are willing to pay to complete their collection and keep the passion for the World Cup alive.