Colombia is gearing up for one of its last four FIFA match dates before the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup, making the upcoming friendly against New Zealand a crucial opportunity for the team. This match will allow the Colombian national team to conduct its final assessments before the tournament, providing a chance to measure its current form against an opponent that plays a distinct style compared to their regular South American rivals.
New Zealand presents a fresh challenge, one that can serve as a benchmark to evaluate whether Colombia can replicate their impressive 4-0 victory against Mexico or if they will struggle again like they did in their recent 0-0 draw against Canada. Coach Néstor Lorenzo has a vital task ahead of him to determine the best strategies and player combinations.
The friendly raises an ongoing debate about the team’s strategy: should they use this limited time to experiment with various line-ups and adjustments, or focus on building cohesion and consistency among the core team? With little time left before the World Cup, the team faces the challenge of balancing these priorities effectively.
As Colombia prepares for New Zealand, they’ll need to consider potential absences due to fatigue or injuries to key players like captain James Rodríguez, goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, and defenders Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, and Lucumí. Additionally, with standout players like Luis Díaz and promising talents such as Jorge Carrascal and Jhon Córdoba, Lorenzo’s mission is to effectively integrate these peaks of performance into a cohesive unit to meet New Zealand’s quick counter-attacking style.
In anticipation of the match, the probable line-ups are as follows:
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, John Lucumí, Johan Mojica; Richard Ríos, Jefferson Lerma; John Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, and Luis Suárez.
New Zealand: Paulsen; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Vries; Thomas, Stamenic; Singh, Garbett, Old, and Wood.
The Colombia vs. New Zealand match will take place on November 15, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 7:30 PM. Fans can catch the game live on Gol Caracol and Deportes RCN, with online streaming available at futbolred.com.
This match not only serves as a preparation ground but also provides hope and optimism for Colombian supporters as their team embarks on its World Cup journey. The blend of experienced players and emerging talents may just create a potent combination for success in the upcoming tournament.