Davinson Sánchez

Davinson Sánchez is a defender in Colombia's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named on 25 May 2026 and listed in the defender group alongside Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Daniel Muñoz, Johan Mojica, Jhon Lucumí, Deiver Machado and Willer Ditta. The Galatasaray centre-back is 29 at kick-off and brings 77 senior Colombia caps and three international goals into the tournament, his second World Cup after the round of 16 at Russia 2018.

Colombia are in Group K with Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan, opening against Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17 June. Néstor Lorenzo's side qualified by finishing third in CONMEBOL qualifying on 4 September 2025, and Sánchez brings years of European club football into the back line.

Sánchez is a quick, aggressive, front-foot centre-back who uses his recovery pace and acceleration to defend in transition. He is comfortable stepping out to meet attackers and, as the last man, covering the ground behind Colombia's defence when the side is caught high up the pitch.

His pace makes him well suited to defending space rather than sitting deep, and his years in European football have brought experience against a range of forwards. In Lorenzo's 4-3-3, Sánchez offers a recovery defender who can step up or drop to cover.

Sánchez gives a Colombia card a quick, front-foot centre-back, a recovery defender with 77 caps and a second World Cup ahead of him. Colombia are a third-tier team at £17m within the game's £200m card budget. Group K awaits.

His card value is defensive rather than attacking: he helps keep Colombia in games, so his returns track clean sheets and how far the side advances more than goals of his own.