Luis Díaz says he's in top form for his World Cup debut with Colombia
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Colombian winger Luis Díaz believes he is having one of his best professional years as he prepares for his debut at the 2026 World Cup.
- Díaz, 29, has established himself in European elite football, notably in his first season with Bayern Munich.
- He joins veteran midfielder James Rodríguez as the key figures in Colombia's 26-player squad for the tournament.
Colombian winger Luis Díaz feels he is entering the 2026 North American World Cup at the peak of his career. The 29-year-old, who has become a recognized talent in European football, stated he is experiencing "one of his best years personally and football-wise." This marks Díaz's first World Cup appearance, following a standout debut season with Bayern Munich that has solidified his status as one of the world's top attackers.
"It's an incredible moment for what I've always dreamed of, which is to represent our national team with pride," Díaz said during a press conference after a training session with the Colombian squad in Bogotá. He, along with veteran attacking midfielder James Rodríguez, are the most prominent players named in the 26-man roster selected by coach Néstor Lorenzo.
Rodríguez, 34, is set to play in his third World Cup, having previously participated in the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. However, his recent form has been less stellar, with limited impact during the first half of the year at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer. Díaz, often compared to Rodríguez, acknowledged the veteran's continued importance, stating, "The captain is still James Rodríguez."
Colombia is drawn in Group K of the World Cup, which begins on June 11 and concludes on July 19. Their opening match is against Uzbekistan on June 17. They will then face the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Está siendo uno de mis mejores años a nivel personal, a nivel futbolístico
Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.