FIFA World Cup 2026 Colombia: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Six goals. One tournament. James Rodríguez turned the 2014 World Cup in Brazil into his personal stage, claiming the Golden Boot and dragging Colombia to their greatest-ever finish. Twelve years on, a new generation built around Luis Díaz carries the hopes of a nation into Group K of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Los Cafeteros face Uzbekistan, DR Congo, and Portugal across three matches spread from Mexico City to Miami. It is a group Colombia should navigate, and then some.
Colombia arrive at their seventh World Cup ranked 13th in the world as of April 1, 2026. Manager Néstor Lorenzo has been in charge since June 2022 and transformed the side from a team that missed Qatar 2022 entirely into CONMEBOL’s third-best qualifier.
The depth up front is real, the tactical shape is clear, and the momentum from qualifying is hard to ignore.
Colombia World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Colombia operates on Colombia Time (COT), which is UTC-5 year-round. The country does not observe Daylight Saving Time. In June, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is UTC-4, meaning kick-off times in Colombia run one hour behind the listed ET times.
| Date | Opponent | Local Time (COT) | ET | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Uzbekistan | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium |
| June 23, 2026 | DR Congo | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium |
| June 27, 2026 | Portugal | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Miami Stadium |
Two evening kick-offs in Mexico, then a Florida finale against the tournament’s biggest name in Group K. The game against Portugal on June 27 at Miami Stadium decides who tops the group. Both teams should have already advanced.
The top two from each group qualify directly for the Round of 32, and the best eight third-placed teams also advance. Full schedule details for all groups are available on the 2026 World Cup schedule page.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Colombia
DSports holds rights to all 104 matches and is the only Colombian broadcaster showing every game live. Caracol TV airs select matches free to air, including Colombia’s group games, across Caracol HD2, Caracol TV, and Caracol Play.
RCN covers 35 matches, and Win Sports shows 25 games including the semi-finals and final. For fans without pay television, Caracol TV is the go-to free option.
Fans can also stream games through the DGO app and the ditu app, both available on Android, iOS, and smart TVs. FIFA+ offers free streaming for selected non-premium matches.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Colombia
| Platform | Language | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSports / DGO app | Spanish | Subscription | All 104 matches |
| Caracol Play | Spanish | Free (with ads) | Select matches including Colombia games |
| ditu app | Spanish | Free | Android, iOS, smart TVs |
| FIFA+ | Multi | Free | Selected non-premium games |
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Colombia
Caracol Radio is the flagship station for live match commentary. Blu Radio also holds broadcast rights during the tournament. Both stations stream online, so Colombians abroad can tune in through their apps.
Colombia World Cup 2026 History & Record
Colombia have appeared in six previous World Cups. Their overall tally reads nine wins, three draws, and 10 losses across 22 matches, scoring 32 goals and conceding 30. The quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014 remain the high-water mark, a campaign that rewrote what the country believed was possible on the world stage.
1962 (Chile) was Colombia’s debut on the world stage. They drew 4-4 with the Soviet Union in a result still talked about today. Marcos Coll scored the only Olympic goal in World Cup history during that game, a direct corner-kick that beat the Soviet keeper. They lost their other two matches and finished bottom of the group.
1990 (Italy) brought Colombia’s first-ever knockout stage appearance. A 2-0 win over the UAE was followed by a loss to Yugoslavia and a 1-1 draw with West Germany. That draw sent them through. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 but left Italy with their heads high.
1994 (USA) turned into heartbreak. Pre-tournament favourites with Carlos Valderrama leading the squad, Colombia lost to Romania and the USA and went home in the group stage. The tournament became infamous for the murder of Andrés Escobar after he scored an own goal against the Americans.
1998 (France) brought more group-stage exit. One win from three games was not enough. Then came a 16-year absence.
2014 (Brazil) was different in every way. Colombia won their group, beat Uruguay 2-0 in the Round of 16, and pushed Brazil in the quarter-finals before a 2-1 defeat ended the run. Rodríguez finished as top scorer with six goals. It remains the best Colombian World Cup campaign ever.
2018 (Russia) was a solid follow-up. Colombia advanced from the group then drew 1-1 with England in the Round of 16 before losing on penalties. Back-to-back knockout appearances had made them a genuine tournament presence.
| Year | Stage | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Group Stage | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| 1990 | Round of 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 1994 | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 1998 | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2014 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4 |
| 2018 | Round of 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Total | 9 | 3 | 10 | 32 | 30 |
Colombia World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group K sets up well for Colombia. Uzbekistan lack experience at this level. DR Congo will be physical and dangerous, but Colombia have the class to manage that. Portugal are the real test. The June 27 clash at Miami Stadium will define who tops the group and who faces a tougher path in the knockout rounds.
Néstor Lorenzo has Colombia playing a dynamic 4-3-3 with a high press and direct vertical passing. The full-backs push aggressively, the midfield trio recycles quickly, and the front three cause problems with their movement. Colombia finished CONMEBOL qualifying in third place on 28 points from 18 games (W7 D7 L4), scoring 28 goals and conceding 18.
Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich) is the focal point of Colombia’s attack. The left winger joined Bayern Munich in July 2025 from Liverpool for a fee reaching £65 million and has been outstanding in the Bundesliga, scoring 24 goals and adding 17 assists across all competitions in his debut season. Díaz brings pace, dribbling, and relentless pressing to every match. He is the most dangerous Colombian player at this tournament.
James Rodríguez (Minnesota United) is 34 and playing in MLS, but in a Colombian shirt he still dictates tempo. His passing range and set-piece delivery give Lorenzo a different dimension. The 2026 tournament feels like his farewell to the biggest stage.
Richard Ríos (Benfica) is Colombia’s midfield engine, breaking up play and carrying the ball with composure.
Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace) offers attacking width at right-back and was part of the Crystal Palace squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2025.
Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray) anchors the defensive line.
The quarter-finals is the realistic target for Colombia, matching their best-ever finish. A semi-final run is possible given the forward talent available.
The Round of 32 should be the minimum from Group K. Lorenzo has built a team that is hard to beat. The bigger question is whether they have enough at the back to hold leads when it matters most.
Colombia FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Colombia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Colombia are in Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Their three group matches take place on June 17, June 23, and June 27, 2026.
When is Colombia’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Colombia kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Uzbekistan on June 17 at 10:00 PM ET (9:00 PM COT) at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca).
How did Colombia qualify for World Cup 2026?
Colombia qualified directly through CONMEBOL by finishing third in the South American qualifiers with 28 points from 18 matches (W7 D7 L4), scoring 28 goals and conceding 18. It was a strong campaign under Néstor Lorenzo after Colombia failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.
How can I watch Colombia at World Cup 2026 for free?
Viewers in Colombia can watch select matches free to air on Caracol TV, including all group games involving the national team. The Caracol Play app and ditu app are free streaming options available on Android, iOS, and smart TVs.
Who is Colombia’s head coach at World Cup 2026?
Néstor Lorenzo has managed Colombia since June 2022. The Argentine previously worked as assistant to José Pékerman with the Argentina national team and then with Colombia, before taking the top job himself.
What is Colombia’s best World Cup result?
Colombia’s best-ever World Cup finish is the quarter-finals, reached at Brazil 2014. They won their group, beat Uruguay 2-0 in the Round of 16, and lost narrowly to the hosts in the last eight.
Do I need a visa to watch Colombia at World Cup 2026 in the USA?
Colombian citizens are not part of the US Visa Waiver Program and generally require a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to enter the United States. Apply well in advance through the US Embassy in Colombia.
Who are Colombia’s key players for World Cup 2026?
Colombia’s standout names include Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich), James Rodríguez (Minnesota United), Richard Ríos (Benfica), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), and Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray). Díaz is the main attacking threat, while Rodríguez provides the creative spark.
World Cup 2026 Colombia is a squad at a crossroads. Veteran brilliance from Rodríguez meets the peak power of Díaz and a midfield built for this era. Néstor Lorenzo has this team believing again after the Qatar miss. Group K will not stop them.
