This piece is part of the 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration among leading media outlets from the 48 nations that qualified. In the lead-up to the tournament kicking off on June 11, previews from three countries will be published daily.
The Strategy
The current Colombia national team features a blend of seasoned players who are cherished for their performances in the World Cup tournaments held in Brazil and Russia in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Among these veterans is James Rodríguez, who continues to play a pivotal role in a squad that operates within a 4-2-3-1 formation centered around his position as No. 10. Supporting him on the flanks is Luis Díaz, who provides a valuable goal-scoring threat, although his contributions may not fully reflect his brilliance displayed at Bayern Munich.
Colombia’s journey to the World Cup has been a tumultuous one. The qualification campaign saw its share of triumphs, including a notable 2-1 victory over Brazil and a payback win against Argentina following their defeat in the 2024 Copa América final. However, a setback in Bolivia, where they lost 1-0, triggered a troubling streak of six matches without a victory, putting their qualification at risk. Ultimately, decisive wins against Bolivia and Venezuela secured their place in the finals.
Colombia: Group K Fixtures
June 17 vs. Uzbekistan, Mexico City (8 PM local, June 18 3 AM BST, June 18 noon AEST)
June 23 vs. DR Congo, Guadalajara (8 PM local, June 24 3 AM BST, June 18 noon AEST)
June 27 vs. Portugal, Miami (7:30 PM local, June 28 0:30 AM BST, June 28 9:30 AM AEST)
Concerns linger regarding the team’s form after disappointing friendly matches against Croatia and France in March. Still, coach Néstor Lorenzo, at the age of 60, remains hopeful. “The style of play that Colombia employs—always looking to attack rather than retreat—brings me joy,” he expressed in an interview. “Our goal is to play well, rather than merely win at any cost. The team is embracing this philosophy, and I hope we can start strong and deliver Colombia’s best World Cup performance yet.”
Achieving this would require surpassing the quarter-finals, a stage reached by José Pekerman’s team in 2014. Alongside Díaz and Rodríguez, the burden of scoring will likely rest on Luis Suárez—not to be confused with the famed Uruguayan striker. Having netted all four of his international goals in a single match against Venezuela last year, the 28-year-old striker found the net during a warm-up against Costa Rica in June. Since joining Sporting from Almería last summer, he has amassed an impressive tally of 38 goals across all competitions in Portugal.
The Coach
Néstor Lorenzo, in his fifth World Cup, takes on the role of head coach for the first time. He represented Argentina in the 1990 tournament and served as José Pekerman’s assistant in 2006, as well as with Colombia in 2014 and 2018. “José has been like a father figure to me,” Lorenzo remarked. “He welcomed me into the national team setup shortly after I received my coaching badges. He’s known me since childhood, and our relationship developed through our shared coaching experiences, including my time under him at Argentinos reserves.” Lorenzo’s only previous head coaching experience was with Melgar de Arequipa in Peru, but his background as a defender under Ossie Ardiles at Swindon has equipped him well for this challenge.
Star Player
Luis Díaz emerged as a crucial figure for Colombia after the 2018 World Cup. He gained national recognition during the 2021 Copa América in Brazil, where he propelled Colombia to the semi-finals with a tournament-high four goals. Now at 29, the former Liverpool winger has shown tremendous growth and excelled for Bayern Munich this season, clinching a league and cup double. “I believe we have an excellent selección, a fantastic team, and great coaching staff. Our qualification campaign was solid, yielding significant results,” Díaz told a media outlet.
One to Watch
Andrés Gómez may have limited experience with the national team, but he has made an immediate impact. In his debut in December 2023, he scored the decisive goal against Mexico and followed it up with a late equalizer in Uruguay, despite Colombia eventually losing that match. At 24, the Vasco da Gama forward has matured enough to serve as a viable alternative to Jhon Arias or even Luis Díaz. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shared, “As a child, I witnessed friends fall victim to violence and saw others stray from the right path. However, my family has always had a passion for football,” he revealed.
Unsung Hero
Jefferson Lerma is the player who brings stability to the Colombian midfield. He did not progress through the ranks of any major domestic clubs, transferring to Europe from the lesser-known Atlético Huila. His selection for José Pekerman’s squad in the 2018 World Cup came as a surprise, as he hadn’t participated in the qualification process. Now a regular starter alongside Richard Ríos at Crystal Palace, Lerma is tasked with maintaining balance while his Benfica teammate is responsible for the team’s offensive efforts.
Probable Starting XI
Fan Expectations
Colombia’s fans are known for their unwavering loyalty, having filled stadiums during both the Brazil and Russia World Cups. The presence of numerous Colombian immigrants in Mexico and the U.S.—though fewer in Canada—ensures a significant turnout of “yellow fever” supporters at this World Cup. The group match against Portugal in Miami is among the most sought-after games for tickets, second only to the final. However, Colombian fans must exercise caution, as they will be under scrutiny from authorities following disturbances during the 2024 Copa América in the U.S.
Political Context
The national team has largely stayed clear of the complex relations between the Colombian government, led by Gustavo Petro, and Donald Trump’s administration. The outgoing president Petro faced a temporary revocation of his U.S. visa—a situation that has since been resolved—and in October 2025, he and his close associates were placed on the U.S. government’s “Clinton List.” This designation was due to accusations from the U.S. treasury that Petro had overseen a “disastrous and ineffective” drug policy. Fortunately, recent diplomatic interactions have eased tensions. Petro refuted claims that he threatened to withdraw Colombia from the World Cup should Israel qualify, amidst swirling rumors on social media.
