Colombia’s Almost Too Old For This Shit

It's almost time for the World Cup. Before the tournament, we'll be previewing each of the top 15 teams by FIFA rankings that made the tournament. Why the top 15? Because that's how many we needed to do in order for the USMNT to make the cut. You can read all of our previews here.

Colombia comes into the 2026 World Cup as one of the hungriest teams in the field. After missing the 2022 edition of the tournament, Los Cafeteros are back, having breezed through the hardest qualifying test in the entire world: CONMEBOL’s grinding 18-match crucible, which Colombia finished in third place, eight points safe of the intercontinental playoff spot. Along the way, Colombia beat both Argentina and Brazil at home, the first time it had toppled the latter in World Cup qualifying history, and also added a runner-up finish at the 2024 Copa América, taking Argentina deep into extra time before losing to a 112th minute winner. In other words, despite the disappointment of the last World Cup cycle, this is an experienced and battle-tested side, one coming into the 2026 tournament with plenty of talent in a starting XI that can compete with anyone.