Honestly, if you haven't been watching the Colombia national team games lately, you’ve been missing the most chaotic, beautiful, and statistically improbable resurgence in South American football. Most fans still have the 2014 James Rodríguez volley against Uruguay looped in their heads. They think of Colombia as that "fun" team that dances after goals. But the current reality under Néstor Lorenzo is a different beast entirely. It’s gritty. It’s calculated. And frankly, it’s a bit of a miracle given where they were three years ago.
The team basically just wrapped up a qualifying campaign that felt like a fever dream. After the heartbreak of missing Qatar 2022, there was this massive cloud of doubt. People were saying James was "washed" and that the golden generation had expired. Fast forward to now: Colombia finished third in the CONMEBOL standings with 28 points. They secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a game to spare, only sitting behind Argentina and a surprisingly rigid Ecuador side.
The Lorenzo Effect and the Numbers Nobody Mentions
What Néstor Lorenzo has done since taking over in July 2022 is kind of insane. He went on a 28-game unbeaten streak that only ended in the 2024 Copa América final against Argentina. You’ve probably heard that stat. But have you looked at the qualifying goal distribution?
Luis Díaz, now at Bayern Munich, wasn't just a winger; he was the primary engine. He finished as the team’s top scorer in the qualifiers with seven goals. That's only one behind Lionel Messi for the entire continent. People keep waiting for Díaz to "take the mantle" from James, but the reality is they’ve formed this weird, symbiotic relationship where James provides the brain and Lucho provides the lungs.
James Rodríguez, at 34, shouldn't be this good. He created 13 "big chances" during the qualifiers—more than double anyone else in South America. Messi only had six. Let that sink in. James is playing like he found a fountain of youth in Barranquilla, and Lorenzo’s 4-2-3-1 system is specifically designed to let him wander into half-spaces while Richard Ríos and Jefferson Lerma do the dirty work behind him.
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Upcoming Schedule: The "Road to 26" Friendlies
If you're looking to catch the next Colombia national team games, the calendar is starting to fill up with high-stakes "pre-season" matches for the World Cup. These aren't just meaningless exhibitions. They are the final chance for guys like Yaser Asprilla and Jhon Durán to prove they belong in the starting XI over the veterans.
- March 26, 2026: Colombia vs. Croatia at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL. (7:30 PM ET)
- March 29, 2026: Colombia vs. France (Location TBD, though reports suggest a major U.S. East Coast market).
The Croatia game in Orlando is particularly huge for the diaspora. Tickets went on sale January 13, and if the 2024 friendlies were any indication, Camping World Stadium will be a sea of yellow. Then you have the France game. Facing Mbappé and company right before the tournament? That’s a massive litmus test.
Group K: The World Cup Path
The draw for the 2026 World Cup was actually pretty kind to La Tricolor, all things considered. They avoided the "Group of Death" scenarios that haunted them in the past. They are the seeded heavyweights in Group K, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park.
Their first match is June 17, 2026, against Uzbekistan at the Mexico City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 10:00 PM ET. Do not sleep on Uzbekistan. Their manager, Timur Kapadze, was actually tied with Néstor Lorenzo in the IFFHS rankings for the top 10 national managers of 2025. They are disciplined and will sit deep, which is exactly the kind of game Colombia historically struggles to unlock.
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Next up is June 23 in Guadalajara. They’ll face the winner of the FIFA Playoff 1, which will be either New Caledonia, Jamaica, or DR Congo. Jamaica would be the "home" favorite there, but whoever it is, Colombia will be expected to take all three points before the big one.
The group stage finale is the one everyone has circled: June 27 against Portugal at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium). 7:30 PM ET. It’s James vs. Cristiano (assuming he's still in the mix) or the new generation of Portuguese stars. Miami is basically a second home for Colombians, so expect the atmosphere to be hostile for Portugal.
Why 2026 is Different
Most analysts talk about the "experience" of this team, but the real story is the depth. In the 3-6 win over Venezuela back in September 2025—which was a wild game by any standard—Colombia showed they can score from anywhere. Jhon Arias and Richard Ríos have become indispensable.
Ríos, specifically, has been a revelation since moving to Benfica. He provides a level of ball progression that Colombia hasn't had since the prime Abel Aguilar days, but with much more flair. He’s the guy who allows James to stay higher up the pitch.
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There’s also the Jhon Durán factor. The kid is a chaos agent. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he changes the gravity of the defense. Lorenzo has been careful with his minutes, but you can see the shift in the team's xG (expected goals) the moment he steps on the grass.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you are planning to follow the Colombia national team games this year, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Track the Orlando Presale: If you haven't secured tickets for the Croatia friendly on March 26, check the secondary markets now. The "Road to 26" series is selling out faster than previous cycles because of the World Cup hype.
- Watch the March Playoff: Keep an eye on the FIFA Inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026. This will decide Colombia's second group opponent. If Jamaica qualifies, the June 23 match becomes a high-intensity CONCACAF/CONMEBOL rivalry game.
- Monitor Richard Ríos' Minutes: His fitness is the single most important factor for Colombia’s transition play. If he’s healthy and starting for Benfica, Colombia’s midfield is elite. If he’s out, the drop-off to the backup options is significant.
- Download the Official FIFA App: For the World Cup matches in June, the schedule times (especially the 10:00 PM ET starts in Mexico) are subject to slight shifts for broadcast.
The 2026 cycle isn't just a "last dance" for James Rodríguez. It’s the first time in a decade where the team feels balanced across all three lines. They aren't just relying on magic anymore; they are relying on a system that actually works.