World Cup Class of 2018: Colombia

Population: 49.6 million

Capital: Bogota

Team Colors: Yellow, Blue, and Red

How Qualified: 4th in CONMEBOL qualifying

Nickname: Los Cafeteros

6th World Cup

Head Coach: Jose Pekerman (ARG)

Key Players: James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich), Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Carlos Bacca (Villarreal)

Best Performance: Quarterfinals (2014)

Can they get to the next level? Four years ago, Colombia went the furthest they’ve ever gone in a World Cup by getting to the quarterfinals for the first time. They were eventually bounced by Brazil, but they were celebrated as heroes on their return. James Rodriguez ended as the World Cup’s leading goal scorer. So can they get to the next level in Russia?

After a disappointing 2015 Copa America, they finished third in the Copa America Centenario the following year. They stumbled towards the finish line in qualifying though as they went winless in their last four qualifiers and finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying just barely sealing automatic qualification.

How James Rodriguez and Falcao fare in Russia will be key to Colombia getting out of the group stage. The latter missed the last World Cup and is keen to make amends.

Group H is not an easy one for Colombia. Poland have Rodriguez’s teammate at Bayern Robert Lewandowski. Japan have pulled off shockers before and Senegal will look to replicate their shock run in 2002. It is the only group without a team that has won the World Cup. Indeed, none of the four teams have made a World Cup final.

The question for Colombia after going farther than the four World Cup teams before it is, Can they get to the next and go even further? If James can replicate his form from four years ago and Falcao gets a chance to show what he can do, Colombia will be here for more than a cup of coffee.

Schedule:

June 19: vs. Japan in Saransk (7am CT on FS1/Telemundo)

June 24: vs. Poland in Kazan (1pm CT on FOX/Telemundo)

June 28: vs. Senegal in Samara (9am CT on FOX/Telemundo)