Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WILL JAMES RODRÍGUEZ PLAY IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
James Rodríguez is synonymous with Colombian football, left-footed magic, and unforgettable goals. Since his breakout performance at Brazil 2014, the nation hasn't stopped wondering: will James go to the 2026 World Cup? At 34, the left-footed player from Cúcuta remains a role model for many, but his current form has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. In this article, we'll tell you everything we know about his potential presence at the next World Cup, including his recent performance, the internal competition, interesting facts, and what the experts think about his latest big moment in history.
James's present with Colombia
James Rodríguez debuted with the senior national team in 2011, and since then has become one of the icons of Colombian football. With more than 90 matches, numerous assists and goals, his influence on the team has been undeniable. However, in recent years, his presence has been intermittent, marked by injuries, a lack of continuity at club level, and tactical decisions that have left him out of several squads.
Key statistics with the national team
Matches played until October 2025: 98
Goals scored: 27
Assist: 28
World Cup appearances: 2 (Brazil 2014, Russia 2018)
Awards: World Cup Golden Boot In the cycle leading up to the 2026 World Cup, James has featured in some qualifying matches under Néstor Lorenzo, although his role has been more that of a veteran than a star player. Even so, when he comes on, he makes a difference with his vision, precision on set pieces, and leadership in the locker room. The big question is whether his body will hold up until June 2026. He has the experience. The talent never went away. But in a World Cup that demands intensity and pace, will James be able to keep up physically?
The New Colombian Generation
The current landscape of the Colombian team is very different from that of 2014. Names like Luis Díaz, Jhon Arias, Jorge Carrascal, and Yáser Asprilla have taken center stage in the attacking midfield, leaving James as a veteran figure, closer to a mentor role. That doesn't mean he's out of the running, but it does mean his position is no longer untouchable.
Who's competing for his place?
Luis Díaz (Liverpool): Explosive, young, unpredictable. He is currently the Colombian standard-bearer.
Jhon Arias (Fluminense): Tactically intelligent, with experience on both wings.
Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow): Creative, daring, but more inconsistent.
Yaser Asprilla (Watford): Future star. At 21, he aims to be the next attacking gem.
Juan Fernando Quintero: Another magical left-footer who, like James, depends on his physical condition.
Faced with this competition, James would have more of a guiding role and be an experienced player. The coach could use him as a game-changer or for specific moments in the match, especially if someone with surgical precision is needed for the final pass or a free kick into the top corner in the 89th minute. In his favor is the respect he commands within the team and among the fans. He is a national idol, and his presence, even as a substitute, carries emotional weight. If he arrives in good form for the final stretch of the qualifiers and gets playing time with his club, the possibility of seeing him in North America is real.
A final World Cup dance?
Thinking about James in 2026 is thinking about an epic farewell, a kind of "last dance" for which many are asking for a chance. And there are plenty of reasons: he is Colombia's all-time leading scorer in World Cups, with 6 goals (all in 2014), and a key figure in the most brilliant moment in the recent history of Colombian football.
Interesting facts about James and the World Cups
In Brazil 2014, he scored in every match until the quarterfinals.
His volley against Uruguay was chosen as the best goal of the tournament and won him the Puskás Award that year.
He is the only Colombian to win the Golden Boot at a World Cup.
In Russia 2018, he arrived physically injured, played little, and Colombia felt it: he was Eliminated in the round of 16.
He has captained the team in numerous official and friendly matches.
Today he plays for São Paulo FC in Brazil, where he has regained some rhythm and consistency. If he manages to stay injury-free and actively participates in the 2024 Copa América and the rest of the qualifiers, the idea of his being called up to the World Cup will cease to be a nostalgic dream and become a concrete possibility.
Colombia needs leaders, and James, with his ups and downs, remains one. He may not be an undisputed starter, but having him on the bench, ready to work his magic at the right moment, could make all the difference in a tournament as emotional as the World Cup. It would be the magician's final performance. And nobody wants to miss it.
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