Colombia at 2024 Copa América: Los Cafeteros Seek a Second America Cup Glory

The 2024 Copa América is knocking already, and the ​Tricolour are not left out in the preparation as they look forward to claiming their second title in the history of the premier competition on American soil. With the United States hosting the 48th edition of the Copa América, Colombia are ready to give all it takes to take the championship home. 

Goalkeepers: Álvaro Montero (Millonarios), Camilo Vargas (Atlas), David Ospina (Al Nassr)

Defenders: Carlos Cuesta (Genk), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Yerry Mina (Cagliari Calcio), Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray S.K.), Deiver Machado (R.C. Lens), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Santiago Arias (Bahia), Yerson Mosquera (Villareal), Johan Mojica (CA Osasuna)

Midfielders: Kevin Castaño (Krasnodar), Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow), James Rodríguez (São Paulo), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Juan Fernando Quintero (Racing), Yáser Asprilla (Watford), Mateus Uribe – (Al-Sadd S.C), Luis Sinisterra (A.F.C. Bournemouth)

Forwards: Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar), Sebastian Gomez (Coritiba FootBall Club), Rafael Santos Borre (S.C. Internacional), Miguel Angel Borja (River Plate), Jhon Jader Duran (Aston Villa F.C.)

In the 2016 Copa America in the USA, Colombia finished 3rd. They should be able to pick up from there and get their heads up. Moreover, Colombia are into Copa America with a superb record, having remained unbeaten in their last 22 games. They have been unbeaten since February 2022, winning 17 games, and 5 ended in draws. During this period, they defeated top-ranked countries like Spain, Brazil, and Romania. In their last friendly match before the Copa America, they beat the USMNT 5-1 on American soil. They are the first team to achieve this feat since Mexico did it in 2009. 

• 2024: ??
• 2021: third place
• 2019: quarterfinals
• 2016: third place
• 2015: quarterfinals
• 2011: quarterfinals

Colombia are drawn into a group of deaths that includes Brazil (5th ranked), Costa Rica, and Paraguay. The Coffee Growers will start their campaign on June 24th, facing Paraguay at the 72,200-capacity NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Both sides have been evenly matched, with 5 wins each in this competition. They will play their second game against Costa Rica on June 28 at the 63,400-capacity State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, before playing their last group game against perhaps one of the title favourites, Brazil, on July 2 at the 68,500-capacity Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Colombia have seen just 2 wins against Seleção in their 11 meetings in this competition. That should be a bone of contention, but a draw against the 9-time Copa America winner will go a long way.

James Rodriguez's performance at the 2014 World Cup was exceptional, with goals that were pretty in everyone’s sight. With his super performance in the tournament, he won the Golden Boot award with 6 goals. He also won the Goal of the Tournament award. He is Colombia’s captain and is currently playing for São Paulo in Brazil since leaving European football in 2023–departing Greek side Olympiacos. As one of the most experienced players in the team, he has consistently featured for his nation in the preparatory games for this competition. 

Colombia have a 7.9% probability (12.70 odds per betway) to win the 2024 Copa America. Still, with gladiators and big names like Argentina and Brazil in the discussion, it will be hard to side with Néstor Lorenzo’s boys. However, with input from top players like James Rodriguez, Luiz Diaz, and Jefferson Lerma, Colombia should at least be able to make it to the semi-final. Additionally, they have 1.28 odds (betway) to qualify from the group; that’s not an issue, though, and picking up 6 points in the group is possible.

• Colombia Total Over 5.5 Points – 1.96 (1xbet)
• Colombia to reach semi-final – 2.75 (Bet365)
• Colombia to reach semi-final – 2.75 (Betway)