Jefferson Lerma
Colombia
MID
Age
31
Appearances
0
Goals
0
About Jefferson Lerma
Jefferson Lerma is a midfielder in Colombia's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Néstor Lorenzo in the list announced on 25 May 2026. The Crystal Palace man is 31 at kick-off and brings more than 60 caps and five international goals for Colombia into the tournament, having spent his recent club career in England.
Colombia are in Group K, opening against Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17 June. Lerma is listed in Colombia's midfield group, a combative ball-winner who can also drop into central defence, named in the squad after Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL's round-robin qualifying to reach the finals. James Rodríguez is the Colombia captain, wearing the armband for the side.
Colombia are in Group K, opening against Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17 June. Lerma is listed in Colombia's midfield group, a combative ball-winner who can also drop into central defence, named in the squad after Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL's round-robin qualifying to reach the finals. James Rodríguez is the Colombia captain, wearing the armband for the side.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Key passes
0
Accuracy
0%
Playing Style
Lerma is a combative defensive midfielder. His game is built on screening the back line, winning the ball in front of the defence and breaking up play, the holding role he fills for both Crystal Palace and Colombia.
He can also be deployed at centre-back, which speaks to the defensive side of his profile rather than a creative one. From deep he brings physicality to the middle of the pitch, a holding presence in front of the back four who breaks up play.
He can also be deployed at centre-back, which speaks to the defensive side of his profile rather than a creative one. From deep he brings physicality to the middle of the pitch, a holding presence in front of the back four who breaks up play.
World Cup History
Lerma has played at a World Cup before. He was part of Colombia's squad at Russia 2018, featuring as they reached the round of 16 before going out to England. That tournament is the senior World Cup experience he brings into 2026.
The 2026 edition would be his second on the biggest stage. He goes into it with more than 60 caps behind him and a holding role in the Colombia midfield, named in the final 26 that Néstor Lorenzo took through CONMEBOL qualifying.
The 2026 edition would be his second on the biggest stage. He goes into it with more than 60 caps behind him and a holding role in the Colombia midfield, named in the final 26 that Néstor Lorenzo took through CONMEBOL qualifying.
National Team
Colombia
Tier 3
£17m
📋 Teammates (12)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
What Lerma adds to Colombia's Goal Rush case is a platform rather than a finish: a ball-winner who screens the defence and lets Colombia's attackers play, with five international goals across his career rather than a regular source of them. Held within the game's £200m card budget, Colombia's £17m valuation lands them in Tier 3, with their Group K games to follow.
His pull at that price is structural — the deep midfield work that gives Colombia a base, freeing the players ahead of him to do the scoring.
His pull at that price is structural — the deep midfield work that gives Colombia a base, freeing the players ahead of him to do the scoring.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Select Colombia (Tier 3, £17m) in Goal Rush and every goal Jefferson Lerma scores counts towards your total.
Lerma at the 2026 World Cup
Lerma is a 31-year-old midfielder at Crystal Palace, named in Néstor Lorenzo's final 26 for 2026 as a combative ball-winner who can also cover at centre-back.
Picking Colombia in Goal Rush
On matchday, Colombia begin Group K against Uzbekistan. Lerma fills part of that £17m, Tier 3 slot as one of the listed midfielders.
Jefferson Lerma World Cup 2026 FAQs
In Goal Rush, Colombia are rated £17m, a Tier 3 team. Lerma holds a final-26 place as a defensive midfielder, the headline for managers being a mid-card defensive option.
Lerma is a midfielder, a combative defensive midfielder who screens the back line and wins the ball. He can also play at centre-back, and his game is built on physicality and breaking up play in front of the defence.
Yes. Lerma was part of Colombia's squad at Russia 2018 and featured as they reached the round of 16. The 2026 World Cup is set to be his second with Colombia.
Lerma plays for Crystal Palace in England. He brings that club experience into Colombia's squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Néstor Lorenzo in the final 26 announced on 25 May 2026.
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