Colombia announces the line-up of players to face Brazil in the fifth round of the South American qualifying stage for the 2026 World Cup. The national team began its concentration in the city of Barranquilla last weekend to prepare for its two upcoming matches. On Thursday, November 16, they will play against the five-time world champion at home. Subsequently, on Tuesday, November 21, the Colombians will face Paraguay in Asunción.
The head coach, Nestor Lozano, has already revealed the list of 26 players for both matches. The squad is led by Luis Diaz, who was uncertain about being called up due to the challenging situation he went through in recent weeks related to the kidnapping of his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, who was eventually released. James Rodriguez is also part of the team after delivering two outstanding performances against Uruguay and Ecuador in the last double-header.
The 26 chosen by Lozano
In addition to Diaz and Rodriguez, 24 more players have joined the Barranquilla training camp in recent days. Compared to the previous call-up in October, midfielder Wilmar Barrios, forward Jhon Jader Duran, and defender Frank Fabra are absent, while forward Jhon Cordoba, midfielder Jefferson Lerma, and defender Jhon Janer Lucumi return to the squad.
Striker Jaminton Campaz is the standout addition among the selected players. The 23-year-old Rosario Central player returns to the national team after more than a year, following his call-up for the friendly against Saudi Arabia on June 5, 2022. He had not been considered by Néstor Lorenzo until now.
Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas/MEX), Alvaro Montero (Millonarios), and Kevin Mier (Nacional).
Defenders: Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul/MEX), Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray/TUR), Carlos Cuesta and Daniel Muñoz (Genk/BEL), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna/ITA), Deiver Machado (Lens/FRA), Cristian Borja (Braga/POR), Yerson Mosquera, and Santiago Arias (Cincinnati/USA).
Midfielders: Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace/GBR), Kevin Castaño (Cruz Azul/MEX), Matheus Uribe (Al Sadd-QAT), Richard Rios (Palmeiras/BRA), James Rodriguez (Sao Paulo/BRA), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central/ARG), Jhon Arias (Fluminense/BRA), Jorge Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow/RUS), and Yaser Asprilla (Watford/ING).
Forwards: Luis Diaz (Liverpool/ING), Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth/ING), Rafael Santos Borre (Werder Bremen/ALE), Jhon Andrés Córdoba (Krasnodar/RUS), and Mateo Casierra (Zenit/RUS).
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