Colombia are one of the teams eagerly anticipated at the 2026 World Cup in North America. This enthusiasm is not only due to their growing fan base in the region but also because of the presence of one of the worldās current top players, Luis Diaz. Now showcasing his talents at Bayern Munich, āEl Guajiroā is expected to lead Colombia to a strong performance against Bolivia.
The upcoming match wonāt be an easy one. Bolivia are vying for a spot through the playoffs, and this encounter could be pivotal for their campaign. Meanwhile, Colombia aim to secure direct qualification and avoid the playoff route, setting the stage for an intense clash in Barranquilla.
Despite Boliviaās need to win, especially as they play their final game in El Alto, where the altitude surpasses 4,000 meters above sea level, Colombia are determined not to falter in front of their home supporters. If Bolivia manage to pull off a surprise win and Venezuela fail to secure a victory against Argentina, the last round of the World Cup Qualifiers promises to be a thrilling climax.
On the flip side, Colombians are keen for their national team to clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup. They know that a loss is not an option to secure tournament participation, and the team could become reliant on other results.
What do Colombia need to seal a 2026 World Cup spot?
Colombia must win to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. A victory would eliminate reliance on other results to finalize their ticket to the North American tournament. However, any other outcome complicates matters for Nestor Lorenzoās squad.
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If Colombia draw against Bolivia, they would need Argentina to defeat Venezuela, as a Venezuelan win or draw against Lionel Messiās team would force Colombia to beat La Vinotinto in the last round.
If Bolivia win, Colombia will hope for a favorable result from Argentina vs Venezuela. A Venezuelan win or tie might prevent Colombia from securing even a playoff berth, leaving the team vulnerable to elimination, pending other final-round outcomes. Hereās how things stand ahead of Matchday 17:
Colombiaās predicted lineup vs. Bolivia
With qualification at stake, Colombia are expected to field their best lineup. Diaz will spearhead the attack alongside James Rodriguez, while Richard Rios might start in the midfield, adding strength to the South American team.
Colombiaās probably starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Camilo Vargas
- Defenders: Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, John Lucumi and Johan Mojica
- Midfielders: Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios, John Arias and James Rodriguez
- Forwards: Luis Diaz and John Cordoba
