The Colombia World Cup 2026 squad will look to build on an impressive base over Nestor Lorenzo's two years in charge as they edge closer to next summer's competition.
Los Cafeteros were one of four teams from CONMEBOL to qualify with 28 points and will appear at World Cup 2026 with one of the most intriguing squads at the tournament, which has a mix of experience and breakthrough talent.
They followed that with two positive friendly results in the United States against New Zealand and Australia in November, not harming their place as one of the top 10 favourites to lift the ultimate prize.
Up until the Copa America final loss to Argentina in July 2024, Colombia were 28 games undefeated under Lorenzo, who led the nation to qualify for the World Cup next summer comfortably: we may be 12 years on from Rodriguez's breakout tournament with La Sele, but a renaissance could be coming.
In 2023, Colombia announced a project called ‘Futbol con Futuro’ – that's ‘Football with a Future’, as the South Americans looked to renovate their football sides and actually win silverware: they came close in the recent Copa and are now looking for a bold run at the World Cup.
And while James Rodriguez will naturally take up a lot of the attention again this summer, they have a strong, elite core consisting of the likes of Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and veteran goalkeeper David Ospina.
Jhon Duran would have been considered an emerging talent here a couple of years ago, but the lesser-trodden path of Saudi Arabia to Russia, via Turkey, has seen him fall down the pecking order, and he hasn't appeared for his nation since last summer. He's not in the squad this month, but is there anything he can do to make it back for the World Cup?
Colombia's squad: The March selection
- GK: David Ospina (Atletico Nacional)
- GK: Camilo Vargas (Atlas)
- GK: Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield)
- DF: Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray)
- DF: Santiago Arias (Independiente)
- DF: Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)
- DF: Johan Mojica (Mallorca)
- DF: Jhon Lucumi (Bologna)
- DF: Deiver Machado (Nantes)
- DF: Yerson Mosquera (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- DF: Juan Cabal (Juventus)
- MF: James Rodriguez (Minnesota United)
- MF: Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace)
- MF: Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate)
- MF: Jhon Arias (Palmeiras)
- MF: Richard Rios (Benfica)
- MF: Kevin Castano (River Plate)
- MF: Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo)
- MF: Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)
- MF: Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander)
- FW: Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich)
- FW: Rafael Santos Borre (Internacional)
- FW: Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar)
- FW: Luis Suarez (Sporting CP)
- FW: Andres Gomez (Vasco da Gama)
- FW: Johan Carbonero (Internacional)
Colombia's Fixtures and Results
Fixtures
- March 26, 2026: Colombia vs Croatia, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States
- March 29, 2026: France vs Colombia, Northwest Stadium, Landover, United States
- June 7, 2026: Colombia vs Jordan, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, United States
- June 17, 2026: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
- June 27, 2026: Colombia vs Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
Recent results
- November 18: Colombia 3-0 Australia, Citi Field, New York, United States
- November 15: Colombia 2-1 New Zealand, Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States
- October 15: Canada 0-0 Colombia, Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, United States of America
- October 11: Mexico 0-4 Colombia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States
-
September 9: Venezuela 3-6 Colombia, Estadio Monumental de Maturin, Maturin, Venezuela
- September 4: Colombia 3-0 Bolivia, Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, Barranquilla, Colombia
- June 10: Argentina 1-1 Colombia, Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- June 6: Colombia 0-0 Peru, Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, Barranquilla, Colombia
- March 25: Colombia 2-2 Paraguay, Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, Barranquilla, Colombia
- March 20: Brazil 2-1 Colombia, Arena BRB Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil
Colombia Manager: Nestor Lorenzo
Nestor Lorenzo took charge of Colombia after just one stint as a head coach which was with Melgar in Peru. He'd previously been an assistant manager six times, including at Colombia for seven years.
Under his stewardship he has guided them to wins over Germany, Brazil, Spain and Uruguay, as well as a 28 match unbeaten run. They reached the final of the 2024 Copa America, only losing to Argentina in extra-time.
After making consecutive World Cups in 2014 and 2018, they failed to qualify in 2022, but will be back at football's most prestigious tournament in 2026.
Colombia's Star Player
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz is one of the in-form wingers of the 2025/26 season. He made a big money switch to German giants Bayern Munich in the summer and hasn't looked back.
With 21 goals in 70 appearances, he's often one of the shining lights of a Colombian side who never fail to entertain. His give-all attitude makes him very endearing, and his South American flair means you can't stop watching him.
Currently ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo's list of the best left wingers in the world right now, a fit and firing Luis Diaz will boost Colombia's chances in Canada, Mexico and the United States massively.
