Colombia eyes 2027 World Cup qualification against Uruguay with Mayra Ramírez returning from injury

Colombia's women's national football team is on the cusp of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup and will host Uruguay in Cali on Friday. The crucial match at the Pascual Guerrero stadium is not only a chance for Colombia to seal their tournament berth but also marks the highly anticipated return of star striker Mayra Ramírez.

Ramírez, who plays for Chelsea, has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a severe hamstring injury. Her last appearance for Colombia was in the 2025 Copa América final. Her return bolsters a squad that already includes talents like Linda Caicedo, Leicy Santos, Jorelyn Carabalí, and Manuela Vanegas, as they seek to secure their place in the global tournament.

Colombia currently holds second place in the CONMEBOL Women's Nations League standings with 14 points, level with leaders Argentina. A win or a draw against Uruguay would guarantee their qualification, as their closest rivals, Venezuela and Chile, have only one match remaining and cannot surpass Colombia's points total.

Uruguay, meanwhile, sits in eighth place with five points and faces a must-win situation. They need to win their remaining matches against Colombia and Venezuela, while also relying on other results, to have any chance of reaching a playoff spot. The Uruguayan team arrived in Cali with a 23-player squad, hoping to achieve what they describe as a 'miracle' to extend their World Cup dream.