Colombia have announced their squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the South American side looking to reach the knockout rounds for the third time in four tournaments.
Los Cafeteros missed out on Qatar 2022, but before that, reached the round of 16 in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2014. They’ve also been a serious threat at recent Copa Americas, reaching at least the semi-finals in three of the last four editions, and finishing runner-up at the most recent competition in 2024.
Nestor Lorenzo has been manager since July 2022, during which time he’s taken Colombia to that aforementioned Copa America final — where they lost 1-0 to Argentina in extra-time — and overseen a third-place finish in World Cup qualifying.
This latest Colombia squad is packed with experience, most prominently boasting 124-time international James Rodriguez for what will surely be his final major tournament. But there is also terrifying attacking quality on show in the likes of Luis Diaz and Luis Suarez.
38-year-old Juan Cuadrado has missed out on the tournament, despite playing in Serie A last season with Pisa. Jhon Duran, Wilmar Barrios and Yaser Asprilla are among the other notable absentees.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Colombia World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Ospina | GK | Atlético Nacional (Colombia) | 129 | 0 |
| 12 | Camilo Vargas | GK | Atlas (Mexico) | 40 | 0 |
| 24 | Álvaro Montero | GK | Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina) | 11 | 0 |
| 23 | Davinson Sánchez | DF | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 77 | 3 |
| 4 | Santiago Arias | DF | Independiente (Argentina) | 66 | 0 |
| 13 | Yerry Mina | DF | Cagliari (Italy) | 52 | 8 |
| 2 | Daniel Muñoz | DF | Crystal Palace (England) | 44 | 3 |
| 17 | Johan Mojica | DF | Mallorca (Spain) | 43 | 1 |
| 3 | Jhon Lucumí | DF | Bologna (Italy) | 35 | 1 |
| 22 | Deiver Machado | DF | Nantes (France) | 14 | 0 |
| 18 | Willer Ditta | DF | Cruz Azul (Mexico) | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | James Rodríguez | MF | Minnesota United (USA) | 124 | 31 |
| 16 | Jefferson Lerma | MF | Crystal Palace (England) | 64 | 5 |
| 20 | Juan Fernando Quintero | MF | River Plate (Argentina) | 47 | 6 |
| 11 | Jhon Arias | MF | Palmeiras (Brazil) | 36 | 4 |
| 6 | Richard Ríos | MF | Benfica (Portugal) | 30 | 2 |
| 5 | Kevin Castaño | MF | River Plate (Argentina) | 24 | 0 |
| 8 | Jorge Carrascal | MF | Flamengo (Brazil) | 22 | 2 |
| 21 | Jaminton Campaz | MF | Rosario Central (Argentina) | 9 | 1 |
| 15 | Juan Portilla | MF | Athletico Paranaense (Brazil) | 8 | 0 |
| 14 | Gustavo Puerta | MF | Racing de Santander (Spain) | 4 | 1 |
| 7 | Luis Díaz | FW | Bayern Munich (Germany) | 72 | 21 |
| 9 | Jhon Córdoba | FW | Krasnodar (Russia) | 21 | 6 |
| 25 | Luis Suárez | FW | Sporting CP (Portugal) | 10 | 4 |
| 19 | Cucho Hernández | FW | Betis (Spain) | 7 | 2 |
| 26 | Andrés Gómez | FW | Vasco da Gama (Brazil) | 6 | 2 |
Colombia come to this World Cup boasting massive experience, with just two players below the age of 25, two players with more than 120 caps, and 11 with 40+ caps.
James Rodríguez remains the poster boy and spiritual leader. However, his sporadic minutes for Minnesota United show that he can no longer be relied upon as the centrepiece for 90 minutes.
Instead, Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz will spearhead the attack, fresh from a season in which he registered 26 goals and 23 assists across all competitions for the Bavarians.
Lorenzo also has plenty of defensive solidity at his disposal, with former Arsenal stopper David Ospina manning the posts, shielded by the likes of Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucimi and Johan Mojica. Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz will provide thrust from full-back.
- Read more: Colombia World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
James Rodriguez (Minnesota United)
As mentioned, Rodriguez remains the big name in this squad. However, age and a lack of fitness mean the 34-year-old will be more of an impact player or someone thrown in to make a difference in the first half, rather than one who carries the load throughout the tournament.
Rodriguez’s Golden Boot showing at the 2014 World Cup remains iconic, and he has 31 goals and 41 assists in 124 caps to his name. On any given day, he can still carve you open with a pass or beat the goalkeeper with a moment of brilliance. And that’s exactly what you need at a World Cup.
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich)
Luis Diaz will be the man to shoulder the attacking burden in this Colombia team, much as Rodriguez has done in years past.
The former Liverpool man was sensational for Bayern Munich in 2025/26, dropping 49 direct goal involvements in just 51 appearances as the Bavarians won the domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Diaz’s speed, skill and dynamism will be a nightmare for any full-back he faces, and he has been in fine form at international level over the last couple of years.
Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)
It’s been an incredible 12 months for Daniel Munoz, who has been a key player in the Crystal Palace side that has sealed FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League titles.
The 30-year-old is an all-action full-back who powers up and down the right flank with relentless energy.
This season, that translated into five goals and four assists across all competitions, while Munoz featured in the top three among Palace players in the Premier League for big chances created (8), tackles (74) and shooting accuracy (48.15%).
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Colombia World Cup 2026 fixtures
Read more:
