Colombia is preparing to travel to Buenos Aires to face Lionel Messi and Argentina on Matchday 16 of the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers. As James Rodriguez aims to lead his team closer to a World Cup berth, the squad has been dealt a significant setback with a key player ruled out due to injury.
On Matchday 15, Colombia hosted Peru in a scoreless draw that left much to be desired on the attacking front. Neither side managed to create real chances, and now with one final fixture left in June’s international window, head coach Nestor Lorenzo must adjust his plans after a critical loss to the lineup.
Al-Nassr striker Jhon Duran, teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, will miss the showdown with Argentina due to injury. The 20-year-old started Friday’s match against Peru but was substituted at halftime for Luis Javier Suarez. On Saturday, the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) issued an official statement on his condition:
“The coaching staff of the Colombia Men’s Senior National Team announces that Jhon Jader Durán of Al-Nassr F.C. (KSA) has left the training camp due to a recurrence of lower back pain, which makes him unfit to participate in the match against Argentina on Matchday 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.”
With several teams nearing qualification, Argentina remains the only South American side to have already secured a spot, sitting atop the standings. Colombia currently holds 6th place with 21 points—just above the playoff position—while Venezuela sits close behind in 7th with 18 points.
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A result against the reigning world champions would be a massive boost for Colombia’s qualification hopes, but a loss could allow Venezuela to close the gap. Without Durán, who adds pace and physicality up front, Lorenzo’s squad faces an even tougher challenge in Buenos Aires.
James Rodriguez shuts down rumors of locker room dispute with Duran
Following the underwhelming draw against Peru, rumors began to swirl suggesting internal tension within the Colombia squad. Reports claimed Duran clashed with head coach Nestor Lorenzo in the locker room, and that senior players—James Rodriguez among them—were forced to intervene.
After the match, the Colombia captain quickly dismissed the speculation during his postgame remarks: “It’s false—almost everything being said outside is completely untrue. I don’t know what happened or what they’re saying… that’s false. We’re united; it’s a good group of people. Even though we’re not on a great run right now, we’re here facing everything. We know that Tuesday is a final.”
