Colombia's Official 26-Man World Cup 2026 Squad: Full Roster, Stats, and Group K Breakdown

Colombia is going to the World Cup. Coach Néstor Lorenzo named the official 26-man squad on May 25, 2026, in a live press conference held in Bogotá. This is the complete roster — every player by position, their club, their NT minutes, and what Group K looks like for La Tricolor.

The Cafeteros last played at a World Cup in Russia 2018. Qatar 2022 was a miss. For eight years, a generation of Colombian players has been building toward this. The squad Lorenzo named on Monday is largely the same group that reached the Copa America 2024 final — experienced, physically mature, and with genuine quality across every line.

Colombia's Full 26-Man World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

NT minutes = national team minutes in the past 12 months, per Mundial Tracker's data tracked from API-Football.

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The Key Players

Luis Díaz is the most in-form player in this squad by a distance. At Bayern München in the 2025-26 season, Díaz contributed 35 goals and 22 assists across all competitions — including a hat-trick against TSG Hoffenheim in February. With Colombia, he has scored 9 national team goals in the past 12 months, per Mundial Tracker's data. His quote after qualifying said it all: "It'll be my first time at a World Cup. I'm very moved by it." He arrives in peak form.

James Rodríguez is in at 34 years old. He now plays for Minnesota United FC in MLS, which raised eyebrows in some quarters. But Lorenzo never wavered — James has logged 653 NT minutes in the past 12 months across 10 matches, with 4 goals and 9 assists for the national team over that span. When he's healthy and engaged, Colombia play a different game. The question isn't whether he belongs; it's how long Lorenzo can keep him on the pitch per match.

Jefferson Lerma is the engine. Crystal Palace's midfield anchor leads the entire squad with 667 NT minutes in 12 months, starting all 10 competitive matches tracked. He doesn't get the headlines. He gets the work done. Lorenzo knows it.

Richard Ríos was barely known outside South America two years ago. He's now a regular starter at Benfica and a first-name on Lorenzo's team sheet — 509 NT minutes in 12 months across 9 matches. His combination with Lerma gives Colombia genuine bite in the middle.

Davinson Sánchez anchors the backline with 671 NT minutes — the most of any outfield player in the squad over the past 12 months. His reading of the game has only improved with age at Galatasaray. Beside him, Jhon Lucumí (Bologna, 537 NT minutes) has been the more polished of the two in recent cycles.

Colombia's Form Going In

The numbers from the past 12 months are honest: W5-D3-L2, 21 goals for, 10 against. The wins came against Bolivia (3-0), Venezuela (6-3), Mexico (4-0), New Zealand (2-1), and Australia (3-0). The draws were against Argentina (1-1) and Peru (0-0). The losses were friendlies — Croatia (1-2) and France (1-3) — opponents who will test any team in the world. This is a squad that competes, that can go wide open and score, but that also has defensive questions when facing elite pressing.

Group K: What Colombia Faces

Colombia's group draw is manageable. Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.

Schedule:

Uzbekistan are making their first-ever World Cup appearance, managed by Fabio Cannavaro. DR Congo qualified dramatically — their first World Cup since 1974 — and carry counter-attacking danger through Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu. Colombia should be favorites in both of those matches.

Portugal, under Roberto Martínez, is the real test. The June 27 clash in Miami could decide who wins the group. Cristiano Ronaldo is there, but so is a deeper squad — Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, João Neves. Colombia beating Portugal would send a message. A point might be enough to guarantee top-two.

The expected outcome from most analysts: Portugal wins the group, Colombia advances in second. A realistic path, not a ceiling.

The Notable Omissions

Jhon Jader Durán is the biggest name left off the list. The Aston Villa striker — now at Zenit Saint Petersburg — had a reported falling-out with Lorenzo during qualifying. Both James and Lorenzo denied the details publicly, but the result is that Colombia's most physically imposing striker is watching from home.

Rafael Santos Borré, who featured regularly through much of qualifying, was cut in the final selection. Lorenzo went with Jhon Córdoba, Cucho Hernández, Luis Suárez (the Colombian, not the Uruguayan), and Carlos Gómez up front instead.

Juan Cuadrado, the veteran winger, was left out. At 37, his legs have slowed. Lorenzo has moved on.

Sebastián Villa was excluded following his conviction for gender-based violence in Argentina. No controversy there.

Camp and Preparation

Colombia concentrated in Bogotá — altitude-focused preparation. The squad will play a farewell match against Costa Rica on June 1 at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium before traveling. It's the last tune-up before Mexico City.

FAQ

Is James Rodríguez going to the World Cup 2026? Yes. Néstor Lorenzo included James Rodríguez in the official 26-man squad announced May 25. James is 34 and plays for Minnesota United FC in MLS. He has been one of Colombia's most active players over the past 12 months — 653 NT minutes, 4 goals, 9 assists per Mundial Tracker's data.

Is Jhon Durán in Colombia's World Cup 2026 squad? No. Jhon Jader Durán was not selected. Lorenzo opted for Jhon Córdoba, Cucho Hernández, Luis Suárez (Sporting CP), and Carlos Gómez as his forward options. Durán's move to Zenit Saint Petersburg and reported friction with the coaching staff appear to have ended his World Cup campaign for now.

What group is Colombia in at the 2026 World Cup? Colombia is in Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Their matches are: vs Uzbekistan on June 17 in Mexico City, vs DR Congo on June 23 in Zapopan, and vs Portugal on June 27 in Miami.

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