James Rodríguez

James Rodríguez is the Colombia captain, named in Néstor Lorenzo's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup announced on 25 May 2026. The Minnesota United attacking midfielder is 34 at kick-off and brings 124 senior Colombia caps and 31 international goals into the tournament. He carries the captain's armband into his third senior World Cup after Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018.

Colombia face Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Group K, opening against Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17 June. Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL round-robin qualifying to qualify on 4 September 2025, returning to the World Cup stage after missing Qatar 2022. Rodríguez is listed in Lorenzo's midfield group alongside Jefferson Lerma, Juan Fernando Quintero and Jhon Arias.

Rodríguez is a versatile footballer who has featured as a playmaker, winger and central midfielder, with his stated preferred role as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers. Pace, technical skills, vision and the ability to create chances as an advanced playmaker define his game. His classic number 10 performances drew comparisons with Carlos Valderrama, who declared him his successor.

Although naturally left-footed, Rodríguez has shown ambidexterity in his dribbling. He is an accurate free-kick taker and Colombia's penalty taker. His 124 caps and 31 international goals carry the senior playmaker role into Lorenzo's 4-3-3.

Colombia sit in Tier 3 at £17m within the game's £200m card budget. The Group K draw — Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan — frames Lorenzo's 4-3-3 group-stage selection logic.

Rodríguez gives Colombia's £17m pick its creative engine: 31 international goals, the captain's armband, free-kick and penalty duties, and a 2014 Golden Boot pedigree. The advanced playmaker pulls the strings from the midfield seat for the Colombia card's group-stage attack.