Colombia Coach Lorenzo Hints at Roster Adjustments Ahead of Crucial Venezuela Clash, Potential Call-Up for Dayro Moreno
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia – Colombia’s national team coach Néstor Lorenzo is signaling potential changes to the lineup for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, with speculation mounting over a possible recall for veteran striker Dayro Moreno. This match carries immense weight as Colombia has already secured direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, currently holding fifth place in the South American standings with 25 points – surpassing Paraguay on goal difference. However, Venezuela remains in contention for the final repechage spot, making the fixture a high-stakes affair for both sides.
Colombia’s qualification marks a meaningful turnaround under Lorenzo, who expressed confidence throughout the qualifying campaign. “I am calm.I was with the certainty that was going to be given,” Lorenzo stated following qualification, attributing the team’s success to a strong mental planning. “We had worked the mental part, there was energy on the squad. Sometimes anxiety plays a bad pass. thank God we could solve it.” Now, with a berth in the tournament secured, Lorenzo appears to be evaluating options for future matches, possibly offering opportunities to players who haven’t featured prominently.
The possibility of a call-up for Dayro Moreno, a prolific goalscorer in Colombian domestic football, has generated considerable discussion. While unconfirmed, Lorenzo’s comments about having “a group of players who are convinced of what we are doing, it is indeed in this project,” suggest he is considering all available talent. A win for Venezuela would guarantee their seventh-place finish and a spot in the repechage, intensifying the pressure on Colombia to maintain their momentum and potentially experiment with their squad. The match against venezuela represents not only a final qualifier but also a chance for Colombia to refine its team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
