Colombia Drawn into Group H for 2026 World Cup,Faces Portugal,Uzbekistan,and Playoff Winner
LOS ANGELES – Colombia will confront Portugal,Uzbekistan,and the winner of a yet-to-be-steadfast playoff in Group H of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup,following today’s draw ceremony. The assignment presents a challenging path for Los Cafeteros, who are aiming to build on recent successes and navigate the 48-team tournament.
This draw marks a pivotal moment for Colombia’s national team, currently experiencing a resurgence under manager Néstor Lorenzo. The team recently concluded a accomplished qualifying campaign, highlighted by a historic 2-1 victory over Brazil - secured by a brace from Lucho Díaz – and securing a draw against argentina in Buenos Aires.They finished the stretch with wins over Bolivia (3-0) and Venezuela (3-6). Beyond qualifying, Colombia has demonstrated strong form with pleasant wins against Germany (0-2) and Spain (0-1), and a dramatic Copa América semi-final victory over Uruguay (1-0) while playing a man down for the majority of the match.
The Colombian squad features a core group of established players, including veteran goalkeeper Camilo Vargas (Atlas), right-back Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), and central defenders Davinson Sánchez (galatasaray) and John Lucumí (Bologna). The left-back position remains competitive, often filled by Johan Mojica (Mallorca).Midfield duties are typically handled by jefferson lerma (Crystal Palace), Richard Ríos (Benfica), and John Arias (Wolverhampton), supporting playmaker James rodríguez – the team’s captain – who orchestrates play for Bayern Munich’s Lucho Díaz and forwards John Córdoba (Krasnodar) and Luis Suárez (Sporting de Portugal). Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate) provides another creative option in attack.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, will be a formidable opponent. Uzbekistan presents a less familiar challenge, representing a rising force in Asian football. The final opponent will be determined thru a playoff system, adding an element of uncertainty to the group. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be Colombia’s eighth appearance in the tournament.
