Colombia 26: Lorenzo Lists James as Captain for Third World Cup, Luis Díaz on Bayern Hot Streak, Jhon Durán Left Out

C olombia have named the 26 with which Néstor Lorenzo will return to a World Cup after missing the 2022 cycle. Captain James Rodríguez heads to his third tournament 12 years after winning the 2014 Golden Boot. Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz brings the form of a Bundesliga-and-DFB-Pokal double into the squad. The headline absence is former Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán. Colombia are based in Guadalajara during the tournament and open Group K against debutants Uzbekistan in Mexico City on June 17.

A return to the global stage

Colombia's last World Cup was Russia 2018, where they exited in the round of 16. They missed Qatar 2022 entirely. Lorenzo has steered the side back since taking over, and the squad reflects a generation that mixes 2014-era survivors with the Liverpool-to-Bayern Luis Díaz layer and the Benfica-anchored Richard Ríos midfield engine. Half of the 26 play their club football in Europe.

The full 26

Goalkeepers (3): Camilo Vargas (Atlas), David Ospina (Atlético Nacional), Álvaro Montero (Vélez Sarsfield). Defenders (8): Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Yohan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes). Midfielders (9): Richard Ríos (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Kevin Castaño (River Plate), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), James Rodríguez (free agent), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense). Forwards (6): Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suárez (Sporting CP), Carlos Gómez (Vasco da Gama), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar), Juan Camilo Hernández (Real Betis).

James, third World Cup, no club

James Rodríguez is captain and heads to his third World Cup, 12 years after his star turn at Brazil 2014. He won the Golden Boot at that tournament with six goals and Colombia made the quarter-finals, the country's deepest World Cup run to date. James left MLS side Minnesota United in May after only four appearances; the squad list reaches the federation with him between clubs. The federation has signalled he will arrive in Guadalajara without club minutes for the back end of the season, which Lorenzo accepts as the cost of having the captain at the tournament.

Luis Díaz arrives on a double

Luis Díaz is the other headline name. The Colombian winger left Liverpool for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2025 and racked up, per reporting, 26 goals and 23 assists across all competitions as the German champions completed the Bundesliga-DFB-Pokal double. He arrives in Colombia's 26 as one of the form European-based players from any participating nation.

Jhon Durán the headline omission

Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán has been left out. The forward left the Premier League side in 2025 and has since played for Al-Nassr, Fenerbahçe and Zenit Saint Petersburg, accumulating 17 senior caps and three goals for Colombia. The omission is the story of the call-up cycle; Lorenzo has opted for the depth of Luis Suárez, Jhon Córdoba and Juan Camilo Hernández behind Luis Díaz instead.

Ospina extends the record

David Ospina remains the senior figure in the goalkeeping group. The 37-year-old made his senior debut in a 2007 friendly against Uruguay and goes into the tournament with 130 caps, the Colombian record, which he will extend.

Premier League representation

Half of Lorenzo's squad play in Europe. The Premier League presence comes through the Crystal Palace duo of Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Muñoz, both regulars at Selhurst Park. Galatasaray's Davinson Sánchez, Bologna's Jhon Lucumí, Cagliari's Yerry Mina, Bayern's Luis Díaz, Sporting CP's Luis Suárez and Benfica's Richard Ríos complete the senior European core.

Friendlies and Group K schedule

Colombia base in Guadalajara, Mexico for the tournament. Two warm-up friendlies, against Costa Rica on June 1 and the United States on June 4, precede the campaign. Group K opens against debutants Uzbekistan in Mexico City on June 17, continues against DR Congo in Guadalajara on June 23, and closes against Portugal in Miami on June 27.

Quick facts

Captain: James Rodríguez. Head coach: Néstor Lorenzo. World Cup appearances including 2026: seven. Best result: quarter-final (Brazil 2014).

Reporting: FCF / The Athletic, May 25, 2026.