By Wilson Florez
The Colombian team returns to the World Cup after its absence in Qatar 2022. The coffee team has the tools and talent to have a good World Cup. David Ospinaone of Colombia’s leaders, considers that it is the ideal time to make history. Colombia will face Cristiano Ronaldo and company in the group stage.
Néstor Lorenzo can have at his disposal a team with a lot of experience, but also with the confidence of youth. In an exclusive interview for La OpiniónDavid Ospina offered his impressions on Colombia for the World Cup of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I believe that today we have a great opportunitywe make up a great team that has been doing things very well (…) Today I believe that all the experiences we have had in the Copa América, living in two important championships, which were Russia and Brazil (…) But I think that today the team has been doing things very well, led by a great coaching staff and well, we hope to take advantage of all that.“said David Ospina.
Colombia’s achievements have been on the rise since the quarterfinals they obtained in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The coffee growers achieved third place in the 2016 Copa América, another third place in the 2021 edition and In 2024 they fell in the last against Argentina. Ospina hinted that all this filming serves as an experience.
The Atlético Nacional goalkeeper is the player with the most appearances in the history of the Colombian national team (130 games). David Ospina has been part of Colombia’s historic rankings in recent qualifying rounds. Besides, Ospina defended the coffee goal in his last 9 World Cup games. The knowledge of players like Ospina and James Rodríguez could be decisive in decisive moments of the next World Cup.
Colombia vs. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
David Ospina is convinced that the 2026 World Cup could be a historic tournament for Colombia. However, the former Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper is aware of the difficulty of the Okay Group. Colombia will share its group with Uzbekistan, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“It is a difficult group, nowadays football is very even. Nowadays everyone competes very well“said Ospina. As a curious fact, Colombia will have its first confrontation in history against these three teams. The coffee growers will have a first phase of the World Cup in little-explored terrain.
It is evident that one of the most attractive matches will be against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal team. Although David Ospina highlighted the difficulty that this duel against his former teammate represents (they played together for All Nassr), Ospina gave his due respect to all the group’s rivals. Colombia will go game by game with the aim of making history.
“We know that, in a World Cup, starting with a positive result is very important. But we know what Portugal represents, what a player like Cristiano represents, what this type of match represents today (…) the expectation is very great. We have the thought of wanting to make history, of wanting to bring joy to our country. (…) It is going to be disputed. It’s the first time it’s been done with forty eight selections, so let’s see how it all turns out. But our expectations are at a high level and we want, as you say, to make history for our country.“, he concluded.
Colombia schedule in the 2026 World Cup
The Colombian team will debut on June 17 at the Azteca Stadium against Uzbekistan. On June 23 they will have their second cup match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Akron Stadium. The first phase will conclude with the duel against Portugal at the Arduous Rock Stadium on June 27.
Keep reading:
– 2026 World Cup: World Cup groups complete
– James Rodríguez had to be hospitalized after the games with the Colombian national team
– René Higuita warns of a possible triumph for Colombia over Portugal
– Luis Suárez does not close the doors to Uruguay and the 2026 World Cup
