Jhon Arias

Jhon Arias is a midfielder in Colombia's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named on 25 May 2026 and listed in the midfield group alongside James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Juan Fernando Quintero, Richard Ríos and Kevin Castaño. The Palmeiras midfielder is 28 at kick-off and brings 36 senior Colombia caps and four international goals into what would be his first World Cup.

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 Arias arrives as a creative option in the wide and attacking midfield areas, having moved to Palmeiras in early 2026.

Arias is a creative wide midfielder who contributes through his passing and his eye for an assist, getting on the ball in wide and attacking areas to create chances for Colombia. He can play off either flank or in a more central attacking role.

His creativity fits a Colombia side that, under Lorenzo, has become one of CONMEBOL's most attacking teams, hitting more crosses than any other South American side in qualifying. Arias adds to that with his delivery and his link play in the final third.

Arias brings creativity to a Colombia card: a wide midfielder whose passing and assists help turn possession into chances. In Goal Rush, Colombia rank in the third tier at £17m within the game's £200m card budget, with their Group K draw to handle.

His value is in creating chances more than scoring himself, so his returns lean on Colombia's forwards converting and on how far Colombia progress through Group K.