Colombia arrive at the 2026 World Cup for the seventh time, having missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar. Their finest hour came in 2014 in Brazil, where they swept to the quarterfinals before falling to the hosts two goals to one, a run that featured a two nil defeat of Uruguay in the round of 16. That tournament also produced a piece of history: goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player to appear at a World Cup at that point, stepping onto the pitch against Japan at 43 years of age. Colombia have never won the title but carry a reputation as one of South America's most expressive sides.

Colombia earned their place at this tournament by finishing third in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, accumulating 28 points from 18 matches with seven wins, seven draws, and four defeats. Under coach Nestor Lorenzo they began the campaign in electric form, going eight qualifiers without defeat and announcing themselves with a two goals to one home victory over Brazil in November 2023, both goals from Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz in front of his recently freed father. A two goals to one win over world champions Argentina in Barranquilla followed in September 2024. They sealed qualification on 09/04/25 with a three nil home win over Bolivia, then closed out the cycle with a six goals to three demolition away in Venezuela.