Brazil 2014 was a great tournament for Colombia, a quarter-final run that saw them capture the hearts of fans all over the world. This time around, they will have the same coach and very much the same squad. Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez will be the player to watch again. After struggling for playing time after a big money move to Real Madrid the midfielder traded Madrid for Munchen to find form before the World Cup. It all went as planned as the two-time Champions League winner added a Bundesliga crown to his trophy collection. The one big absentee from the 2014 squad was Radamel Falcao. Falcao, Colombia's all-time leading goal scorer could not overcome a knee injury that has hurt his career. After disappointing spells in the Premier League, his parent club Monaco stuck with the forward who even won the 16-17 French League title over PSG. Sevilla's Luis Muriel and Villareal's Carlos Bacca will provide the cover if Falcao's injuries problems show their face in Russia.

Juan Cuadrado led the World Cup assist table in Brazil and is an even more mature player than four years ago. The winger settled with Italian powerhouse Juventus and is 3 time Serie A champion. Arsenal's number two David Ospina is again Colombia's number one. PSV's Santiago Arias started just one game four years ago but is expected to be one of the first names on the team sheet. The Eredivisie Footballer of the Year has progressed nicely and his consistency has improved the team.  José Pékerman does have some thinking to do with the rest of the backline. Blessed with two of the world's top young centre backs in Barcelona's Yerry Mina and Tottenham's Davinson Sanchez, Pékerman must decide if to play the talented but inexperienced pair together or opt for more experience in Cristián Zapata. Zapata started four years ago and was ever present throughout all of the qualifiers. 

 

 

Head Coach:José Pékerman

 

Population: 49 million 

 

Appearances: 6

 

Best: Quarter-finals(2014)

 

How they Qualified: South American qualification is notoriously difficult, with teams having to go through a 2-year campaign, and factors such as playing in altitude and extreme heat and humidity coming into play.  Colombia managed to get through this campaign finishing 4th, only a point behind Argentina.  However, they only had a +2 goal differential, way behind leaders Brazil, who had a crazy +30 differential. 

 

Star Players: James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich), Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Juventus), Santiago Arias (PSV), Davinson Sanchez(Tottenham)

 

Wildcard:  Juan Fernando Quintero- Once hailed as one of the world's most promising footballers, Quintero has never quite fulfilled his potential. His lack of discipline and commitment is an example that talent alone is enough.  His selection at this World Cup presents a chance of redemption of the player. His creative footballing brain and exquisite touches can make him more than useful for Colombia. 

 

Legend:Carlos Valderrama