plan
at the moment’s columbia choice The core of the crew nonetheless contains gamers fondly remembered from the 2014 and 2018 World Cups in Brazil and Russia. A number of of them are enjoying in James Rodríguez’s third event and stay key gamers within the crew’s 4-2-3-1 formation centered across the quantity 10 place. Though he hasn’t been in a position to shine at Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz has been a aim scorer and is broadly admired.
Colombia has been on a curler coaster experience main as much as this World Cup. Their qualifying marketing campaign included moments of glory, together with a 2-1 victory over Brazil and revenge in opposition to Argentina, the place they misplaced within the 2024 Copa America remaining. Nevertheless, they then misplaced to Bolivia 0-1, beginning a six-game winless streak, and their means to advance to the finals was in jeopardy. Ultimately, the participation slot was confirmed by means of two conferences between Bolivia and Venezuela.
Doubts stay concerning the crew after disappointing pleasant outcomes in opposition to Croatia and France in March, however 60-year-old coach Nestor Lorenzo stays optimistic. “I am proud of the best way Colombia performed, attempting to play on the entrance foot as a substitute of hiding,” he mentioned in his native La Nacion, Argentina. “The concept is to not win in any respect prices, however to play nicely. And the crew believes in that concept and feels that we’re right here. We hope to get off to a superb begin and create Colombia’s finest World Cup in historical past.”
coach
In his fifth profession World Cup, nestor lorenzo This will probably be his first time main a crew as a head coach. He performed for Argentina in 1990, was Jose Pekerman’s assistant for Argentina in 2006, and in addition performed for Colombia in 2014 and 2018. “Jose was like a father to me,” Lorenzo mentioned. “When he introduced me into the nationwide crew employees, I had hardly earned a training badge. He had recognized me nearly at all times as a coach since I used to be little, however he additionally coached me as an Argentino substitute.”Except for Colombia, the one crew Lorenzo managed was Peru’s Melgar de Arequipa. Nonetheless, that did not stop the previous Swindon defender from doing a superb job.
star participant
Luis Diaz He appeared after 2018, however needed to wait till he turned Colombia’s most necessary participant. He turned broadly recognized on the 2021 Copa America held in Brazil, scoring 4 targets, essentially the most within the event, and main Colombia to the semi-finals. Now 29, the previous Liverpool winger has matured and has been sensational for Bayern Munich this season. “We all know we have now an important choice, an important crew, an important coach. Qualifying was first rate for us as a result of we had been in a position to get very massive outcomes,” Diaz informed ESPN.
One value noting
Andres Gomez Though he has solely performed a couple of video games for the Colombian nationwide crew, he’s working onerous. In his first cap in December 2023, he scored the successful aim in opposition to Mexico and scored a late equalizer in opposition to Uruguay, however in the long run Colombia misplaced. The Vasco da Gama ahead is a little bit of a late bloomer, however the 24-year-old is now mature sufficient to be trusted as a substitute for John Arias or Luis Diaz. I had a really tough begin in life. “As a toddler, I grew up watching a few of my mates get killed and others taking place the incorrect path. However my entire household was at all times into soccer,” he writes in Chocó 7 Días.
The unsung hero
The person who brings steadiness to Colombia jefferson lermaGamers who didn’t undergo this method at massive golf equipment in Japan. He received a transfer to Europe from mid-table Atlético Huira and was a shock choice in Jose Pekerman’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, though he didn’t function within the qualifying rounds. The Crystal Palace man at the moment works as a starter in midfield alongside Richard Rios. Benfica’s stars could also be chargeable for offering the fireworks, but it surely’s Lerma’s job to cowl the areas and do the soiled work.
In all probability beginning lineup
4-2-3-1: Vargas. Muñoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica. Rios, Lerma; John Arias, James, Luis Diaz. Suarez.
What do you hope for the followers on the sport?
Colombian supporters are among the many most loyal on the planet. They crammed stadiums in Brazil and Russia. The truth that there are lots of Colombian immigrants in Mexico and the US, though to a lesser extent in Canada, ensures a major presence of “yellow fever” at this World Cup. The group match in opposition to Portugal in Miami is the second most requested match within the event after the ultimate. That mentioned, Colombian followers will have to be cautious as they are going to be beneath intense scrutiny from authorities following the disturbance within the stands for the 2024 Copa America in the US.
This text is a part of a collaboration between JoySports and The Guardian. The collaboration will give readers entry to crew information, previews and extra for all 48 groups which have certified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
