Colombia Drawnโ intoโค Groupโ H for 2026 World Cup,Faces Portugal,Uzbekistan,and Playoff โขWinner
LOS ANGELES – Colombia will confront Portugal,Uzbekistan,and the winner โฃof a yet-to-be-steadfast playoff in โคGroup H of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup,following today’s draw โฃceremony. The assignment presents a challenging path for Los Cafeteros, who are โaiming to buildโ on recent successes and โnavigate the 48-teamโ tournament.
This draw marks a pivotal moment forโฃ Colombia’s national team, currently experiencing a resurgence under manager โNรฉstor Lorenzo. The team recently concluded a accomplished qualifying campaign, โฃhighlighted by a historic 2-1 victory over โBrazil โ- secured by a brace from Lucho Dรญaz – and securing a drawโ against argentina in Buenos Aires.They finished the stretch with wins over Bolivia (3-0) and Venezuela (3-6). Beyond qualifying, Colombia has demonstrated strongโ form with pleasant wins against Germany (0-2) and Spain (0-1), and aโ dramatic Copa Amรฉrica semi-final victory over Uruguay (1-0) while โplaying a man down for theโข majority of the match.
The โColombian squad featuresโ a core group of establishedโ players, including veteran goalkeeper Camilo Vargas (Atlas), right-back Daniel Muรฑoz (Crystal Palace), and โcentral defenders Davinson Sรกnchez (galatasaray) and Johnโ Lucumรญ (Bologna). The left-back position remains competitive, often filled by Johan Mojica (Mallorca).Midfield duties are typicallyโค handledโฃ by jefferson lerma โฃ(Crystal Palace),โ Richard Rรญos (Benfica), andโ John Arias โค(Wolverhampton), supporting playmaker James rodrรญguezโ – the team’s captain – โwho โorchestrates play โfor Bayernโฃ Munich’sโ Lucho Dรญaz and forwards Johnโ Cรณrdobaโ (Krasnodar) and Luis Suรกrez (Sporting de โPortugal). Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate) provides another creativeโฃ option in attack.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, โฃwill be aโค formidableโ opponent. Uzbekistan presents a less familiar challenge, representing aโข rising โขforce in Asian football. The final opponent will be determined thru โฃa playoff system, adding anโ element ofโ uncertainty toโข the group. Theโค 2026 World Cup, โขco-hosted byโ the United States, Canada, and Mexico, โฃwill be Colombia’s eighth appearance in the tournament.
