Lorenzo confident in James

Colombia national team head coach Néstor Lorenzo remains confident that James Rodríguez will be physically ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the midfielder’s lack of consistent minutes at club level.

Speaking ahead of Colombia’s final preparations for the tournament, Lorenzo emphasized that James continues to be an important figure within the squad and revealed that the veteran playmaker has been following a specialized training program to maintain his condition.

The coach also confirmed that he recently met with James in the United States to discuss his current situation and preparation process. While the Colombian captain has faced challenges finding regular playing time in recent seasons, Lorenzo believes his experience and leadership will still play a key role for Los Cafeteros on the world stage.

James Rodríguez remains one of the most iconic players in Colombia’s history after winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and helping elevate the national team during the last decade.

Colombia is expected to announce its final World Cup roster in the coming weeks as the team prepares for the start of the 2026 tournament across North America.