Néstor Lorenzo named the Colombia World Cup Squad 2026 on May 25 in Bogotá. Captain James Rodríguez leads the side at 34, his third World Cup. Colombia are back after missing Qatar 2022, and Luis Díaz arrives as the headline act after firing a brace to beat Brazil in qualifying.
Lorenzo kept the core that earned a direct ticket. Díaz now leads the line from Bayern Munich, Richard Ríos pulls the strings from Benfica, and David Ospina returns for a fourth World Cup at 37. Colombia sit 13th in the world and reach their seventh tournament with one of the oldest squads in the field. The spine is built across Europe and South America.
This is your full Colombia squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
Colombia 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | David Ospina | Atlético Nacional | 37 |
| GK | Camilo Vargas | Atlas | 37 |
| GK | Álvaro Montero | Vélez Sarsfield | 30 |
| DF | Daniel Muñoz | Crystal Palace | 30 |
| DF | Davinson Sánchez | Galatasaray | 29 |
| DF | Jhon Lucumí | Bologna | 27 |
| DF | Johan Mojica | Mallorca | 33 |
| DF | Willer Ditta | Cruz Azul | 28 |
| DF | Santiago Arias | Independiente | 34 |
| DF | Déiver Machado | Nantes | 32 |
| DF | Yerry Mina | Cagliari | 31 |
| MF | James Rodríguez (C) | Minnesota United | 34 |
| MF | Jefferson Lerma | Crystal Palace | 31 |
| MF | Richard Ríos | Benfica | 25 |
| MF | Jhon Arias | Palmeiras | 28 |
| MF | Jorge Carrascal | Flamengo | 28 |
| MF | Juan Camilo Portilla | Athletico Paranaense | 27 |
| MF | Juan Fernando Quintero | River Plate | 33 |
| MF | Gustavo Puerta | Racing de Santander | 22 |
| MF | Kevin Castaño | River Plate | 25 |
| MF | Jaminton Campaz | Rosario Central | 26 |
| FW | Luis Díaz | Bayern Munich | 29 |
| FW | Luis Suárez | Sporting CP | 28 |
| FW | Jhon Córdoba | Krasnodar | 33 |
| FW | Cucho Hernández | Real Betis | 27 |
| FW | Carlos Andrés Gómez | Vasco da Gama | 23 |
(C) = captain. Ages as of June 11, 2026. Squad as confirmed by Néstor Lorenzo on May 25, 2026.
For all 48 team rosters, see our World Cup 2026 squads tracker.
Quick Stats
Here are the numbers that define Lorenzo’s 26-man group.
- Average age: 29.5 years
- Most-capped player: David Ospina (129 caps)
- Top scorer in qualifying: Luis Díaz (7 goals)
- Premier League players: 2 (Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma, both Crystal Palace)
- Brazilian league players: 4 (Jhon Arias, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Camilo Portilla, Carlos Andrés Gómez)
- Youngest player: Gustavo Puerta (22)
- Oldest player: David Ospina (37)
Key Players to Watch
Luis Díaz, Bayern Munich
Díaz is Colombia’s biggest star and one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe. He scored seven goals in qualifying, including a brace to beat Brazil 2-1 in Barranquilla. He cuts inside, runs in behind, and presses from the front. At 29 he carries the team’s biggest threat.
James Rodríguez (C), Minnesota United
James is the captain and the creative heartbeat at 34. He won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with six goals, the high point of his career. He plays as a left-footed number 10 who sees passes others miss. This is his third World Cup and likely his last.
Richard Ríos, Benfica
Ríos is the engine in midfield at 25. He broke through at Palmeiras before his move to Benfica, and he covers ground box to box. He wins the ball, carries it forward, and links James to the front line. He is the rising name in this squad.
Jefferson Lerma, Crystal Palace
Lerma is the defensive anchor who lets the creators play. The 31-year-old screens the back four, breaks up attacks, and keeps the shape tight. He won the FA Cup with Crystal Palace in 2025. His discipline is why Colombia stay so hard to beat.
David Ospina, Atlético Nacional
Ospina is Colombia’s record cap holder with 129 appearances. The 37-year-old goalkeeper returns for a fourth World Cup and brings calm leadership to the group. He plays at home for Atlético Nacional now. Even as backup, his voice matters in the dressing room.
Luis Suárez, Sporting CP
Suárez gives Colombia a true number nine in form. The 28-year-old striker scored freely for Sporting in Portugal this season. He holds the ball up, finds space in the box, and finishes chances. He offers Lorenzo a focal point James and Díaz can feed.
Colombia World Cup 2026 Schedule
Colombia play two group games in Mexico and one in the United States. Kick-off times appear in Eastern Time (ET) and Colombia Time (COT) for fans back home.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (COT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Uzbekistan | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), Mexico City | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| June 23, 2026 | DR Congo | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Guadalajara | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| June 27, 2026 | Portugal | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami Gardens | 7:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
All kick-off times follow the official FIFA match schedule, and Group K positions were confirmed at the December 5, 2025 draw. Colombia beat Costa Rica 3-1 at El Campín in Bogotá in their send-off friendly before flying north. You can check every match in our full 2026 World Cup schedule.
How Colombia Qualified for World Cup 2026
Colombia came through the long CONMEBOL round robin, where the top six teams qualified directly. They opened with a 1-0 home win over Venezuela, then settled into a run of draws. The early form was steady rather than spectacular, but Lorenzo’s side stayed unbeaten deep into the campaign.
The standout night came in Barranquilla. Colombia beat Brazil 2-1 with both goals from Luis Díaz, then later downed world champions Argentina 2-1 on the same ground. A 4-0 win over Chile capped a strong first half that left them second in the table.
A rough patch followed, with three straight defeats testing their nerve. They steadied with a 3-0 home win over Bolivia that sealed qualification, then closed out with a wild 6-3 victory away in Venezuela. Colombia finished third with 28 points from a record of seven wins, seven draws, and four losses, scoring 28 goals and conceding 18. They booked their place on September 4, 2025.
Head Coach: Néstor Lorenzo
Néstor Lorenzo is a 60-year-old Argentine who took the Colombia job in June 2022. He knew the setup well, having worked as an assistant under José Pékerman during Colombia’s strong run in the previous decade. He played as a defender in Argentina before he moved into coaching.
Lorenzo built a clear identity fast. He favours a 4-2-3-1 that stays compact, defends in numbers, and springs forward through Díaz and James. His Colombia went unbeaten across 28 matches at one stage and reached the 2024 Copa América final, losing 1-0 to Argentina after extra time. That structure and belief carry into Group K.
Group K at a Glance
Colombia sit in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo. The group runs June 17 to 27. The top two advance to the round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Appearances | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 5 | 8 | Third place (1966) |
| Colombia | 13 | 6 | Quarterfinals (2014) |
| DR Congo | 46 | 1 | Group stage (1974) |
| Uzbekistan | 50 | Debut | Debut (2026) |
Portugal are the group favourites and the side to beat, with Cristiano Ronaldo chasing one more deep run. Colombia look the strongest challenger and should fancy their chances of second place, or even top spot. DR Congo bring pace and power up front, while Uzbekistan reach their first World Cup as a well-drilled, disciplined unit.
Colombia’s path likely runs through the games with Uzbekistan and DR Congo, with the Portugal result shaping the final order. See our Group K breakdown for the full picture.
FAQ About Colombia World Cup Squad 2026
What is Colombia’s nickname?
Colombia’s national team is known as Los Cafeteros, which means The Coffee Growers. The name nods to the country’s famous coffee-growing region. Fans and media across South America use it as the team’s everyday name.
Who is Colombia’s all-time top scorer, and is he in the squad?
Radamel Falcao is Colombia’s all-time top scorer with 36 international goals. He is not in the 2026 squad, having dropped out of the national team picture. James Rodríguez is now the leading scorer among the players Lorenzo selected.
What kit colours does Colombia wear at the 2026 World Cup?
Colombia’s home kit is a bright yellow shirt with blue shorts and red socks, the three colours of the national flag. The away kit switches to a darker base. Yellow has been the team’s signature look for decades.
How did Colombia perform at the last World Cup?
Colombia did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, missing out during CONMEBOL qualifying. Their last appearance was in 2018, where they reached the round of 16 before losing to England on penalties. The 2026 tournament marks their return after eight years away.
How many times has Colombia qualified for the World Cup?
2026 is Colombia’s seventh World Cup. They previously qualified in 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, and 2018. The 2014 run in Brazil produced their best finish, a place in the quarterfinals.
Colombia’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
This is an experienced, talented group that knows how to win tight games. Díaz gives them a world-class match-winner, James adds the creativity, and Lerma and Ríos control the middle. The defence is settled, and Lorenzo has drilled a clear plan. The age profile is high, but so is the quality.
Portugal stand between Colombia and top spot, yet second place looks well within reach. The Colombia World Cup Squad 2026 has the firepower to reach the knockout rounds and the experience to go further. If Díaz stays fit and the veterans deliver, a run to the quarterfinals is a realistic target.
