James Rodriguez will captain Colombia at the World Cup after being named in Nestor Lorenzo's 26-man squad, though former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been omitted.

Colombia are back at FIFA's flagship tournament after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022, and expectations are high after they finished as Copa America runners-up in 2024.

They will face Uzbekistan, DR Congo and Portugal in their Group K matches, and there are plenty of familiar names in their squad.

James is included despite only playing four games for MLS side Minnesota United before leaving in May. 

He won the Golden Boot with six goals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, with that return alone enough to make him his country's all-time leading scorer at the finals.

He also provided the most assists (seven) of any player in the 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers, while Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz scored seven goals, a tally only bettered by Argentina's Lionel Messi (eight).

Diaz is also in the squad, as are Crystal Palace duo Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma, but there is no place for Duran, who spent the second half of the season on loan from Al-Nassr to Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg. 

Sporting CP's Luis Suarez, who led the scoring charts in the Portuguese Primeira Liga in 2025-26 with 28 goals in 32 games, could lead the line in Duran's absence.    

Colombia squad: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional), Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield); Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Yohan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes); Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Kevin Castano (River Plate), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), James Rodriguez, Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense); Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting CP), Carlos Gomez (Vasco da Gama), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central), Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar), Juan Camilo Hernandez (Real Betis).