Having beaten Brazil and Spain in recent times, the South American nation will be confident of a deep run at this summer's tournament
After surprisingly missing out on the 2022 World Cup, Colombia have responded in the best way possible by putting together a 20-match unbeaten run that has seen them beat the likes of Brazil, Spain and Germany. As such, they are being treated as dark horses by many to challenge for glory at the 2024 Copa America.
Los Cafeteros have won the tournament just once in their history, in 2001, while they have only been to the final on one other occasion, in 1975. History, then, is not on their side, but coach Nestor Lorenzo certainly has a group of players who are capable of causing a shock in the United States.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz and former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez catch the eye, but Colombia's is a roster that combines experience and youth to its advantage, while their use of the dark arts is legendary.
So who will make Colombia's 23-player Copa America squad? GOAL takes a look…
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GOALKEEPERS
Lorenzo's starting goalkeeper in recent times has been 35-year-old Camilo Vargas, though it remains to be seen whether he can keep the jersey for the summer given the return from injury of fellow veteran David Ospina.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper now plays his club football at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, though he has struggled with injuries during his time in the Middle East. He returned to Lorenzo's squad for the March friendlies against Spain and Romania, but time is not on his side when it comes to convincing the coach he should start in the U.S.
| Name |
Club |
| Kevin Mier |
Cruz Azul |
| Alvaro Montero |
Millonarios |
| David Ospina |
Al-Nassr |
| Camilo Vargas |
Atlas |
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DEFENDERS
The centre-back picture for Colombia is a little unclear, after both Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez missed the March international break due to injury, which has in turn allowed Bologna's Jhon Lucumi to further stake his place to start this summer.
Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz will start at right-back, meanwhile, with Johan Mujica the favourite to win the battle for a place in the line-up at left-back.
| Name |
Club |
| Santiago Arias |
Bahia |
| Cristan Borja |
Braga |
| Juan David Cabal |
Hellas Verona |
| Carlos Cuesta |
Genk |
| Gabriel Fuentes |
Junior |
| Jhon Lucumi |
Bologna |
| Deiver Machado |
Lens |
| Yerry Mina |
Cagliari |
| Johan Mojica |
Osasuna |
| Yerson Mosquera |
Villarreal |
| Daniel Munoz |
Crystal Palace |
| Davinson Sanchez |
Galatasaray |
- RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images
MIDFIELDERS
Mateus Uribe and Jefferson Lerma will provide the midfield muscle for Colombia, while Jorge Carrascal has been given plenty of opportunities to impress further forward of late. Whether he will start ahead of captain James Rodriguez come the Copa, however, remains to be seen.
Palmeiras' Richard Rios has been a regular off the bench, meanwhile, with the likes of Jorman Campuzano, Kevin Castano and Sebastian Gomez likely to be fighting for a spot on the roster.
| Name |
Club |
| Jorman Campuzano |
Boca Juniors |
| Jorge Carrascal |
Dynamo Moscow |
| Kevin Castano |
Krasnodar |
| Sebastian Gomez |
Coritiba |
| Jefferson Lerma |
Crystal Palace |
| Juan Portilla |
Talleres |
| Gustavo Puerta |
Bayer Leverkusen |
| Juan Fernando Quintero |
Racing Club |
| Richard Rios |
Palmeiras |
| James Rodriguez |
Sao Paulo |
| Mateus Uribe |
Al-Sadd |
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FORWARDS
Diaz is the leader of Colombia's attack, and if they are to make a deep run this summer, they will need the Liverpool winger to step up and make crucial contributions throughout the tournament.
He will be joined in the forward line by Jhon Arias and Rafael Santos Borre, though MLS star Cucho Hernandez and Aston Villa youngster Jhon Duran will both feel they can force their way into the line-up ahead of the Copa.
| Name |
Club |
| Jhon Arias |
Fluminense |
| Yaser Asprilla |
Watford |
| Miguel Borja |
River Plate |
| Rafael Santos Borre |
Internacional |
| Matteo Cassierra |
Zenit |
| Jhon Cordoba |
Krasnodar |
| Luis Diaz |
Liverpool |
| Jhon Duran |
Aston Villa |
| Andres Gomez |
Real Salt Lake |
| Cucho Hernandez |
Columbus Crew |
| Ian Poveda |
Sheffield Wednesday |
| Luis Sinisterra |
Bournemouth |
