This article is part of the 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration among top media outlets from the 48 qualifying nations. As the tournament approaches its June 11 kickoff, previews from three countries will be published daily.
Strategic Outlook
Colombia’s current national team retains a strong core of players who made their mark during the World Cups in Brazil and Russia in 2014 and 2018. Notably, James Rodríguez continues to be a pivotal player, anchoring a 4-2-3-1 formation centered around his position as No. 10. With Luis Díaz contributing significantly to the attack, his performance is expected to shine as it does at Bayern Munich, although not to the same extent.
The journey to this World Cup for Colombia has been tumultuous. Their qualification campaign featured thrilling highs, including a memorable 2-1 win over Brazil and a significant victory against Argentina, avenging their Copa América final loss. However, a shocking 1-0 defeat in Bolivia triggered a streak of six matches without a win, jeopardizing their qualification. Ultimately, decisive wins over Bolivia and Venezuela secured their place in the tournament.
Colombia: Group K Matches
17 June vs. Uzbekistan, Mexico City (8 PM local, 18 June 3 AM BST, 18 June noon AEST)
23 June vs. DR Congo, Guadalajara (8 PM local, 24 June 3 AM BST, 18 June noon AEST)
27 June vs. Portugal, Miami (7:30 PM local, 28 June 0:30 AM BST, 28 June 9:30 AM AEST)
Despite some concerns following uninspiring friendly matches against Croatia and France in March, head coach Néstor Lorenzo remains hopeful. He expressed his satisfaction with the team’s proactive style, stating,
“The way Colombia play – trying to play on the front foot, not hiding – gives me satisfaction,”
he told La Nación.
“The idea is to play well, not just win at any cost. And the team feel that: they believe in the idea and here we are. Let’s hope we start well and can put together the best World Cup in Colombia’s history.”
To achieve this, they will need to surpass the quarter-final stage that José Pekerman’s team reached in 2014. Alongside Rodríguez and Díaz, the scoring burden will also fall on Luis Suárez—not to be confused with the Uruguayan. The 28-year-old striker, who netted all four of his international goals in a single match against Venezuela last year, recently scored in a warm-up against Costa Rica. Since transferring to Sporting from Almería last summer, he has racked up 38 goals across all competitions in Portugal.
Coaching Leadership
Néstor Lorenzo will take the reins as head coach for the first time in his career during this World Cup, marking his fifth participation in the tournament. A former Argentine player, Lorenzo was part of the national squad in 1990 and served as an assistant to José Pekerman with Argentina in 2006 and Colombia in 2014 and 2018. He remarked,
“José has been like a father to me,”
adding that Pekerman helped him join the national team coaching staff early in his career.
Aside from his time with Colombia, Lorenzo’s only head coaching experience was with Melgar de Arequipa in Peru. Nevertheless, his background as a player under Ossie Ardiles at Swindon has prepared him well for this role.
Key Player Spotlight
Since debuting after the 2018 World Cup, Luis Díaz has established himself as Colombia’s standout player. He gained widespread recognition during the 2021 Copa América, where he propelled Colombia to the semi-finals with a tournament-high four goals. Now at 29, the former Liverpool winger has matured significantly, enjoying a remarkable season with Bayern Munich that included a league and cup double. He stated,
“I know we have a great selección, a great team, great coaches. Qualifying was decent for us because we got some very big results,”
Emerging Talent
Andrés Gómez may be relatively new to the national team, but he has quickly made an impact. Scoring the decisive goal on his debut against Mexico in December 2023, he followed up with a late equalizer against Uruguay in a match that ultimately ended in defeat. Now 24, the Vasco da Gama forward is seen as a viable option to support Jhon Arias or even Díaz. Reflecting on his past, he shared,
“As a kid, I grew up watching some of my friends get killed and saw others follow the wrong path. But my whole family has always been into football,”
Unsung Contributor
Jefferson Lerma is the unsung hero who provides stability for Colombia, having risen from humble beginnings at Atlético Huila to become a key player in Europe. Initially a surprising inclusion in José Pekerman’s 2018 World Cup squad, Lerma has since solidified his position as a starting midfielder alongside Richard Ríos for Crystal Palace. While the Benfica star may provide the offensive spark, Lerma’s role is crucial in maintaining balance and performing essential defensive duties.
Fan Engagement
Colombian fans are known for their unwavering loyalty, having filled stadiums in both Brazil and Russia. Given the large Colombian diaspora in Mexico and the US, their energetic presence—often dubbed “yellow fever”—is expected at this World Cup. The match against Portugal in Miami has emerged as the second-most sought-after ticket of the tournament, trailing only the final. However, fans must be cautious, as authorities will be monitoring them closely following disturbances at the 2024 Copa América in the US.
Political Context
The national team has largely remained unaffected by the tense relations between Donald Trump’s administration and Colombia’s government under Gustavo Petro. The former president Petro faced a revoked US visa, later restored, and in October 2025, he and his inner circle were placed on the US government’s “Clinton List” due to criticisms of his drug policy. However, diplomatic relations have improved, and Petro denied threats to withdraw Colombia from the World Cup amid rumors circulating online.
