Néstor Lorenzo calls up Willer Ditta and Juan Camilo Hernández for the 2026 World Cup
Coach Néstor Lorenzo announced the 26 call-ups from Colômbia to Copa from Mundo in 2026 with two main surprises: defender Willer Ditta, from Cruz Azul, and attacker Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández, from Real Betis. The list was revealed at a press conference at Federação Colombiana’s Federação Colombiana headquarters.
Ditta won the Clausura 2026 championship with Cruz Azul and was considered the best defender in the Mexican competition. The defender, born La Jagua from Ibirico, is 29 years old and played 22 games in the first half of 2026. Sua signing reinforces the Colombian defense for the matches that will be played at altitude.
Willer Ditta reinforces defense with experience at height
The Cruz Azul defender brings important experience to Colômbia. Ele only played 2 matches for the national team: his debut was against Equador in 2023 (4 minutes) and the second game took place on October 10, 2024, against Bolívia, in El Alto, a 1-0 defeat.
Height is a strategic factor in Lorenzo’s decision. Ditta already trains at altitude with Cruz Azul, which favors its adaptation to the cities where Colômbia will play:
- Cidade of México (2,240 meters above sea level)
- Guadalajara (1,566 meters above sea level)
Juan Camilo Hernández puts Rafael Santos Borré out of contention
Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández lives his best moment at Europa playing for Real Betis. In the 2025-2026 season, the striker played 40 matches, scored 15 goals and provided 3 assists. Seus goals include scores against Real Madrid, UEFA Europa League goals and a double against Real Oviedo.
With the bigger team, Hernández has accumulated 7 matches and 2 goals. Seu’s good performance in Spanish football was decisive for Lorenzo to choose him over Rafael Santos Borré, who had been showing low production and unstable performance.
Gustavo Puerta arrives as a new addition to midfield
Outro highlighted from the summons is Gustavo Puerta, from Racing to Santander. The midfielder gained access to LaLiga with the Spanish team and was one of the first to join the concentration in Medellín. During the season, he played 33 matches, scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist.
Puerta has a history in the minor categories of the national team. Foi captained Sub-20 in the 2023 Sudamericano, held at Colômbia, and participated in the March friendlies against França and Croácia.
The 26 called up for Mundial
Goleiros
- Álvaro Montero (Vélez Sarsfield)
- David Ospina (Atlético Nacional)
- Camilo Vargas (Atlas FC)
Defensas
- Jhon Lucumí (Bologna FC)
- Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray)
- Yerry Mina (Cagliari)
- Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul)
- Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
- Santiago Arias (Independiente of Avellaneda)
- Johan Mojica (Mallorca RCD)
- Deiver Machado (Nantes)
Volantes
- Richard Ríos (Benfica SL)
- Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace)
- Kevin Castaño (River Plate)
- Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense)
- Gustavo Puerta (Racing Santander)
- Jhon Arias (Palmeiras)
- James Rodríguez (Minnesota United)
- Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo)
- Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate)
- Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)
Atacantes
- Juan Camilo Hernández (Real Betis)
- Carlos Andrés Gómez (Vasco from Gama)
- Luis Díaz (Bayern Múnchen)
- Luis Suárez (Sporting CP)
- Jhon Córdoba (FK Krasnodar)
Calendário from Colômbia games on Copa from Mundo
Colômbia will face Uzbekistão, Congo’s República Democrática and Portugal in the group stage. The first appointment takes place on June 17, at Cidade of México. The second game will be 6 days later on Guadalajara. The dates and times were confirmed for 9 pm (Colombian time).
James Rodríguez was one of the first athletes to arrive at the selection camp in Medellín for competition preparations.
