Colombia announces 2026 World Cup squad, James Rodriguez to captain


Published: 12:05 26 May 2026
The Colombian national team has announced its final squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Experienced midfielder James Rodriguez has been given the captaincy of the team.
Despite rumors about the fitness of this 34-year-old star footballer, he has been kept in the team and given leadership responsibilities.
Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz is one of the biggest stars in the attack. Camilo Vargas, Alvaro Montero and David Ospina have been given opportunities in the goalkeeper department.
Davinson Sanchez, John Lucumi, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Daniel Munoz, Santiago Arias, Johan Mojica and Davor Machado are in the defense.
Rodriguez is joined in midfield by Richard Rios, Jefferson Lerma, Kevin Castano, Juan Camilo Portia, Gustavo Puerta, John Arias, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Fernando Quintero and Jaminton Campos.
Luis Diaz is joined in attack by Juan Camilo Hernandez, Luis Suarez, Carlos Andres Gomez and John Cordoba.
Colombia are aiming to bounce back strongly ahead of the 2026 World Cup after failing to qualify for the tournament. They will face Uzbekistan in Group K on June 17. Their other opponents in the group are Portugal and Congo.
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