- Colombia and manager Nestor Lorenzo are currently on a roll, going undefeated so far in FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and defeating Spain and Romania in their most recent friendlies.
- Players such as James Rodriguez, Luiz Diaz and Jefferson Lerma will be keen to help their country reach the CONMEBOL Copa America™ final for the first time since 2001.
Colombia is on a hot streak going into the 48th edition of the oldest national team tournament in the world, and these three stars will likely play a massive part if Los Cafeteros achieve their dream of a second ever tournament championship this year.
Tickets are still available to see Colombia take on Paraguay in their first Group D match at NGR Stadium in Houston Texas on June 24. Secure your seat here.
James Rodriguez
Already considered one of his country’s greatest ever players, James Rodriguez will surely be looking at this CONMEBOL Copa America™ as an opportunity to cement his legacy. Born in Cúcuta, Colombia in 1991, Rodriguez left the continent in 2010 to join Portuguese club FC Porto and has gone on to play for a variety of Europe’s elite clubs such as Monaco, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton.
What he’s most known for across the globe, however, is his performance at the 2014 World Cup where he won the tournament’s Golden Boot award with six goals, including the Goal of the Tournament award.
Colombia’s captain is currently applying his trade for Brazilian giants São Paulo, where he’s been since 2023 after departing Greek side Olympiacos. As his country’s number 10, he featured in Colombia’s last two friendly victories against Spain and Romania, starting in the later. He also started Colombia’s most recent World Cup qualifier, ironically enough against CONMEBOL Copa America 2024™ Group D rival Paraguay, where they won 1-0 back in November of last year.
Whether this will be Rodriguez’s CONMEBOL Copa America™ swan song or not remains to be seen. The midfielder’s greatest ever continental success came in 2016 and where he helped Colombia finish 3rd. After missing 2021 due to fitness concerns, while his teammates finished third again, Colombia’s Captain will be eager to get his country back into a final for the first time since 2001.
Luiz Diaz
While Díaz got his first taste of CONMEBOL Copa America™ in 2019, it was the 2021 edition where he announced himself to the continent as arguably Colombia’s most important player.
The 27-year-old winger was born in Barrancas, Colombia in 1997. He would make his debut for his country in 2018, becoming the first indigenous Colombian to play for the national team. The following year, Díaz would leave Colombian club Atlético Junior to join Portuguese club FC Porto, just like his teammate James Rodriguez did when he left the continent nine years prior. He would go on to win the league twice at Porto before making a big money move to Liverpool.
His move to the Merseyside giants came off the back of an incredible CONMEBOL Copa America 2021™. He helped guide Colombia to a 3rd place finish, even with Rodriguez missing the tournament, while ending up tying Lionel Messi for the tournament’s Golden Boot award with four goals. His fantastic showing in Brazil during the tournament coupled with a great first half to the 2021-2022 season was enough to move Liverpool to buy him during the January transfer window. He would go on to start in that season’s UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, where Liverpool would go on to lose 0-1 thanks to a Vinícius Junior goal in the 59th minute.
More recently, Díaz has scored two goals in Colombia’s undefeated FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, both coming in their historic win over Brazil last November, Colombia’s first time ever beating Brazil in a World Cup qualifier. Díaz and his compatriot Rafeal Santos Borré of Brazilian club Internacional sit atop their country's leading goalscorer list for the qualifiers with two goals each.
A big question going into this year’s CONMEBOL Copa America will be if Díaz can replicate the success he had during the last edition in 2021, and if he can help Colombia go even further this year. Only time will tell.
Jefferson Lerma
In the heart of Colombia’s midfield sits Jefferson Lerma. Lerma plays in England for Premier League mainstays Crystal Palace alongside countryman Daniel Munoz, who wowed during Palace’s 4-0 victory over Manchester United earlier this week. Before Palace, Lerma racked up 184 appearances and 12 goals for AFC Bournemouth, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in his last season on the south coast.
Lerma made a name for himself in Colombia and in England as an energetic defensive midfielder with an aggressive ball winning ability. In this Premier League this season, he sits among the best players in interceptions made, tackles and aerials won, which speaks volumes of his value as defensive midfielder.
The 29-year-old, born in El Cerrito, Colombia in 1994 has proven himself key to helping his country only concede three goals so far in FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying. His combative playing style will be key to Colombia as they must go head-to-head against the likes of Brazil, Paraguay and Costa Rica in Group D.
Lerma went all 90 minutes in Colombia’s previous two friendly victories against Spain and Romania and will likely be at the heart of any successes that come Colombia’s way during this year’s tournament.
Photos: Fcf.co and afcb.com
