After the presentation of Carlo Ancelotti last week with his call-up for Brazil, Colombia became the second team from CONMEBOL to confirm its final roster. This Monday in a press conference, coach Néstor Lorenzo announced the list of 26 players who will play in the 2026 World Cup for the coffee team.
Led by key players like James Rodríguez and Luís Díaz, the list includes regular call-ups such as Davison Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Yerry Mina, Daniel Muñoz, Johan Mojica, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, and Jhon Córdoba. On the other hand, from Argentine football, 5 players were called up: Álvaro Montero (Vélez), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Kevin Castaño (River), Juan Fernando Quintero (River), and Jamilton Campaz (Rosario Central).
Beyond the confirmations, another aspect that stood out in the call-up was the absences. Among the notable names that did not make the final cut are Rafael Santos Borré, a regular in Lorenzo's call-ups who had recently returned to scoring, Sebastián Villa, a figure in Independiente Rivadavia but hindered by his legal issues, and Yerson Mosquera, a central defender from Wolverhampton who lost out to Willer Ditta. Other significant absences included Kevin Mier, Jhon Jáder Durán, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Wilmar Barrios, and Juan Cabal.
"Even in the list of 55, it was complex to choose. There are always players who have a very consistent performance. One evaluates everything and draws conclusions. In many positions the line of difference between one player and another is very close. We tried to make the best decision", commented Néstor Lorenzo.
Before traveling to their base camp for the World Cup in Guadalajara, the coffee team will have two preparation friendlies: on the 1 of June against Costa Rica in Bogotá and on the 7 against Jordan in San Diego. In the tournament, they will be in Group K along with Uzbekistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Portugal. Their debut will be against the Uzbeks on June 17 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, then they will face the Africans on the 23rd at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and will close the first phase with their match against the Portuguese on the 27th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The 26 players called up from Colombia for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers:
Camilo Vargas (Atlas)
Álvaro Montero (Vélez)
David Ospina (Atlético Nacional)
Defenders:
Dávinson Sánchez (Galatasaray)
Jhon Lucumí (Bologna)
Yerry Mina (Cagliari)
Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul)
Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
Santiago Arias (Independiente)
Johan Mojica (Mallorca)
Deiver Machado (Nantes)
