Colombia Announces 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Squad: James & Luis Díaz Lead the Way

KO YONG-CHUL Reporter

korocamia@naver.com | 2025-03-18 13:51:29

Coach Néstor Lorenzo Confirms 26-Man Final Roster

The Colombian national football team has announced its final 26-man roster for the 2026 North American World Cup South American qualifiers. Coach Néstor Lorenzo has assembled the squad with minimal changes, centering it around the existing key players.

Colombia recently suffered consecutive losses to Uruguay and Ecuador, dropping their World Cup qualifying ranking to fourth place. The upcoming matches against Brazil and Paraguay are expected to be pivotal in securing their World Cup qualification.

James Rodríguez & Luis Díaz Expected to Shine as Key Players

The core of this roster undoubtedly features James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz. James Rodríguez, who has been leading León in the Mexican league with outstanding performances, and Luis Díaz, who has established himself as a key player for Liverpool in the English Premier League, are both expected to lead Colombia's offense in these qualifiers. Luis Díaz is also set to play in the League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley Stadium.

Will John Durán & Marino Hinestroza Bring Fresh Energy?

John Durán, who has been consistently playing and scoring goals in the Saudi Arabian league, and Marino Hinestroza, a young talent from Atlético Nacional, have caught attention with Lorenzo's surprise selections. Expectations are high among fans to see how they will perform in these qualifiers.

Key Players:

James Rodríguez: León (Mexico)
Luis Díaz: Liverpool (England)
John Durán: Aston Villa (England)
Marino Hinestroza: Atlético Nacional (Colombia)

Crucial Matches for Colombia Against Brazil and Paraguay

In these qualifiers, Colombia will face Brazil and Paraguay in succession. Both matches are anticipated to be critical turning points in the World Cup qualification race. All eyes are on whether Colombia can overcome these challenges and secure their spot in the World Cup finals.

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