World Cup 2026: Spotlight on Muñoz, Lerma & Colombia

Club

17 Jun 2026

After narrowly missing out on Qatar 2022, Colombia return to the FIFA World Cup determined to make their mark once again on football's biggest stage.

Under Néstor Lorenzo, Los Cafeteros have re-established themselves among South America's elite.

A run to the 2024 Copa América final showcased their quality, with only Argentina denying them silverware after extra time, while impressive victories over both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying underlined their credentials.

Now preparing for their seventh World Cup appearance, Colombia will fancy their chances of progressing from a fascinating Group K featuring Portugal, DR Congo and tournament debutants Uzbekistan.

Crystal Palace duo Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma will be central to those ambitions!

Their International Journey

Muñoz was first called up by Colombia head coach Carlos Queiroz for friendly matches against Brazil and Venezuela in September 2019, only for injury to delay his senior international debut.

After receiving a second call-up in March 2020, the Palace defender finally earned his first cap in June 2021, starting a World Cup qualifier against Peru. He quickly established himself as a trusted member of the squad and featured prominently at that summer's Copa América, playing five full matches as Colombia secured a third-place finish.

His influence has continued to grow ever since. In March 2024, Muñoz scored his first international goal in a landmark victory over Spain – Colombia's first-ever win against La Roja.

A few months later, he played a starring role in Colombia's run to the Copa América final in the United States. Muñoz scored against both Paraguay and Brazil, added an assist in the quarter-final victory over Panama and emerged as one of the tournament's standout full-backs.

His performances carried seamlessly into World Cup qualifying, where he was a near ever-present as Colombia secured their place at the finals with a third-place finish in the CONMEBOL standings.

Lerma's journey with the national team, meanwhile, stretches back even further. The midfielder represented Colombia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio before making his full international debut against South Korea the following year.

His rise was swift. Less than 12 months after earning his first cap, Lerma was named in Colombia's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, starting the opening group-stage fixture against Japan and featuring throughout the tournament as La Tricolor reached the Round of 16.

Over the years that followed, he established himself as one of Colombia's most dependable midfielders. Combining defensive steel with leadership and experience, Lerma became a fixture at the heart of the side and scored important goals during both qualifying and tournament campaigns.

Like Muñoz, one of the defining moments of his international career came during the 2024 Copa América. Lerma featured throughout Colombia's run to the final, scoring in the opening victory over Paraguay before heading home the decisive goal against Uruguay in the semi-finals to send his nation into the showpiece event.

Now one of the senior figures within the squad, Lerma arrives at World Cup 2026 with nearly a decade of international experience and alongside Muñoz forms part of a strong Colombian spine aiming to challenge the tournament's biggest nations.

How did Colombia reach the 2026 World Cup Finals?

Colombia's road to North America was far from straightforward.

Lorenzo's side looked set for a comfortable qualification campaign after losing just one of their opening 10 matches, collecting statement victories against both Brazil and eventual group winners Argentina along the way.

However, momentum stalled dramatically. A surprise defeat in Bolivia sparked a six-match winless run that threatened to derail their World Cup hopes and brought pressure heading into the closing stages of qualification. Fortunately, Colombia responded when it mattered most...

Backed by a passionate home crowd, they produced a commanding display to defeat Bolivia 3-0 on Matchday 17, with James Rodríguez, Jhon Córdoba and Juan Fernando Quintero all on target. The victory secured qualification with a game to spare and ensured their return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence.

They eventually finished third in the CONMEBOL standings with seven wins, seven draws and four defeats from 18 matches, ending the campaign behind only Argentina and Ecuador.

How have Colombia fared previously?

Colombia have built a reputation as one of South America's most entertaining World Cup nations, producing memorable campaigns and iconic players across their tournament history.

Their finest performance came in 2014. Led by a dazzling Rodríguez, Los Cafeteros won all three group-stage matches before defeating Uruguay in the Round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Although hosts Brazil ended their dream run, James finished the tournament as the leading goalscorer with six goals and collected the Golden Boot, cementing his place in World Cup folklore.

Four years later in Russia, Colombia once again advanced to the knockout stages despite losing their opening match to Japan. Victories over Poland and Senegal secured progression before they pushed England all the way in a dramatic Round of 16 encounter.

Yerry Mina's late equaliser forced extra time, but Colombia ultimately exited on penalties.

Overall, Colombia have appeared at seven World Cups – 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, 2018 and now 2026 – and will be hoping this year's squad can add another memorable chapter to that history.

What group are they in?

Group K promises to be one of the most competitive groups at World Cup 2026.

Portugal enter as favourites and will hope to finally lift the trophy in what could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last appearance on the sport's biggest stage. Colombia, meanwhile, arrive with genuine ambitions of progressing deep into the tournament after their impressive performances over the last three years.

DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, while Uzbekistan make history by appearing at the finals for the very first time.

With two established footballing nations and two teams eager to make their own mark, Group K could prove one of the tournament's most unpredictable pools.

World Cup Fact

Colombia manager Néstor Lorenzo knows what it takes to reach football's biggest occasions.

As a defender, he started for Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup final against West Germany at Rome's Stadio Olimpico. Yet just four months later he found himself in very different surroundings, joining English Second Division side Swindon Town.

Lorenzo spent three years in Wiltshire and has often spoken fondly of his time in England, describing it as "a very good time" in his life before embarking on the coaching career that has ultimately led him to the Colombia dugout.

When are Colombia’s fixtures?

Thursday, 18th June (03:00 BST): Uzbekistan v Colombia (Mexico City, BBC)
Wednesday, 24th June (03:00 BST): Colombia v DR Congo (Guadalajara, ITV)
Sunday, 28th June (00:30 BST): Colombia v Portugal (Miami, BBC)

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