James Rodríguez to wear Golden Boot patch at 2026 World Cup in recognition of 2014 achievement

James Rodríguez, captain of Colombia's national football team, will be honored during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a special patch featuring the Golden Boot he won at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The 34-year-old midfielder, who scored six goals in 2014 to become the tournament's top scorer, joins an exclusive group of players receiving this distinction from FIFA. Only three players will wear the Golden Boot patch during the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada: Rodríguez, Kylian Mbappé of France, and Harry Kane of England.

The FIFA initiative recognizes players who have achieved individual milestones in World Cup history. Mbappé, who scored eight goals as the top scorer at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, has already worn the Golden Boot patch in previous matches. Kane earned his patch after finishing as the tournament's leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup in Russia with six goals. Rodríguez is set to debut his patch in Colombia's match against Uzbekistan.

At 34 years old, Rodríguez has been in good physical form during recent friendly matches, including a game against Jordan. Colombia's head coach Néstor Lorenzo praised Rodríguez's condition and contribution to the team's tactical play, emphasizing that his talent and ability to provide clarity to the team's attack compensate for any differences in running intensity compared to other players. The 2026 World Cup may be Rodríguez's final tournament with the Colombian national team, and while he aims to help the team with both goals and assists, his primary focus remains on supporting Colombia's campaign beginning with their debut match.