Colombia Eliminatorias Preview: Bolivia and Venezuela Stand in the Way
The road to the 2026 World Cup is reaching its decisive moments, and Colombia finds itself on the brink of securing qualification. After starting the Eliminatorias with strength and consistency, the team stumbled a bit following the Copa América, with results not fully reflecting their performances. Still, Néstor Lorenzo’s squad remains in control of its destiny—just one point away from officially booking a ticket to North America. With Bolivia and Venezuela as the final hurdles, Colombia enters this window determined to close the campaign on a high, restore confidence, and solidify its place among the continent’s best.
What Colombia Needs
Colombia started the Eliminatorias on a strong note, solidifying a good position early on. That was crucial, especially with this being the first cycle where six teams qualify automatically and one more heads to the repechaje. However, since the Copa América, results haven’t gone the way Colombia would’ve hoped. Their record since then stands at 2–4–4. To be fair, the football itself has been good, but the results simply haven’t matched the performances.
Despite that, Colombia remains in a great position for automatic qualification. They currently sit in 6th place, which is the last direct qualification spot, and hold a four-point cushion over 7th place Venezuela—who also happen to be their final opponent of the campaign. At this point, Colombia only needs a single point to officially clinch qualification. That’s completely doable, as Bolivia and Venezuela are among the “easier” opponents on paper, even if every game in South America comes with its challenges. Still, Colombia must approach these matches with full seriousness, as both Bolivia and Venezuela are still fighting hard for that repechaje position.
Convocatoria and Lineups
Looking at the convocatoria, overall it was a solid list. With the abundance of Colombian talent spread across the world, Néstor Lorenzo did well to maintain the core group while also introducing some fresh names. Every player called up is deserving of their spot, and it’s a good sign that so many others remain in the mix, fighting for future opportunities.
One of the biggest surprises is the return of Dayro Moreno. At 39 years old, he’s been on fire in Liga BetPlay and fully earned his call-up. Colombia still hasn’t settled on a clear-cut number one striker, so perhaps Moreno’s experience can make the difference. He has already provided big moments for the Selección in the past, with three goals and two assists—including a memorable winner away to Bolivia. Fans are genuinely happy to see him back, and it feels like a deserved reward for his form.
For the Bolivia game, I’d like to see what I consider Colombia’s strongest lineup. Ideally, they’ll secure the result at home and then rotate more in the second match. Players who don’t usually get many minutes should also be given a chance to build confianza with the national team, especially since it’s clear Lorenzo intends to keep his core intact heading into the World Cup.
Predictions
Against Bolivia, I’m going for a 2–0 Colombia win. It won’t be easy, as this is arguably the strongest Bolivian side I’ve seen in my lifetime, and they’ll be desperate with their own qualification hopes still alive. That said, Colombia will be just as hungry to end their poor run of results, secure automatic qualification in front of their home crowd, and finally book their tickets to the 2026 World Cup. Bolivia’s away struggles could also tilt things in Colombia’s favor.
As for the Venezuela game, I’m predicting a 1–1 draw. If Colombia does the job against Bolivia, I’d expect a rotated lineup for this one. Even then, the squad has enough quality to compete, though Venezuela will likely need something from the match to protect their repechaje spot. Playing away in Venezuela has historically been tricky for Colombia, so a draw would still be a respectable result to close out the campaign.
Final Thoughts
Colombia’s path to the 2026 World Cup is clear: one point from the final two matches will be enough to seal the deal. With a strong core, a well-balanced convocatoria, and the hunger to end on a high, this team has everything it needs to get the job done. Bolivia and Venezuela won’t make it easy, but Colombia has the quality and experience to rise to the occasion.
Now it’s about finishing the campaign with confidence, giving opportunities to players who can grow into bigger roles, and carrying momentum into the tournament itself. Qualification is within reach—now it’s time to take it.
Do you think Colombia will get it done against Bolivia at home, or will it come down to the final match in Venezuela? And which player do you see stepping up to make the difference in this crucial window? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
for up to date updates on the Seleccion Colombia visist: https://x.com/FCFSeleccionCol
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