Colombia's "Los Cafeteros" Face New Zealand in Fort Lauderdale Friendly

Colombia's national team will face New Zealand in an international friendly on Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 PM at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Los Cafeteros enter the match riding high after securing their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under head coach Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia qualified directly for next year's tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team finished the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign in third place, marking their return to football's premier tournament after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Captain James Rodríguez, now playing for Club León in Mexico's Liga MX, continues to lead the national team. The 34-year-old attacking midfielder has been instrumental in Colombia's World Cup qualification, becoming the nation's all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history earlier this year. His creativity and experience remain vital to Lorenzo's tactical approach.

The squad also features Bayern Munich star Luis Díaz, who has been in exceptional form for the German champions this season. The 28-year-old winger has recorded impressive numbers in the 2025-26 campaign, tallying five goals in nine Bundesliga matches, three goals in four UEFA Champions League appearances, and one goal in two DFB-Pokal matches. Díaz signed with Bayern from Liverpool in July 2025 for a reported fee of €75 million and has quickly become a key player in Vincent Kompany's system.

Other notable players in Colombia's squad include midfielder Richard Ríos (Benfica), who joined the Portuguese giants from Palmeiras in July 2025 for approximately €30 million. The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has been a key figure for both club and country. Premier League representation comes from Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Muñoz, widely regarded as one of the best wing-backs in England and a crucial player in Palace's 2025 FA Cup triumph. Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Jhon Arias, who transferred from Fluminense in July 2025, adds further attacking options alongside Bayern Munich's Luis Díaz.

New Zealand, ranked 94th in FIFA's world rankings, will use the match as preparation for their own World Cup qualifying campaign. The All Whites have scheduled several matches against top-ranked opponents to prepare for potential World Cup qualification.

The friendly serves as valuable preparation for Colombia as they continue building toward next summer's World Cup. Lorenzo will likely use the opportunity to fine-tune tactics and evaluate squad depth ahead of the tournament.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM at Chase Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF.