James Rodriguez: Colombia's 2026 World Cup Captain

James Rodriguez, the Colombian playmaker who captivated the world at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is set to lead his nation once again in the 2026 tournament. Having captained Colombia since 2023, the midfielder is the team's creative hub and most-capped outfield player, aiming to guide them to glory.

Rodriguez's stellar performance in 2014 earned him the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with six goals and a place in the team of the tournament. Despite this individual success, Colombia has never won the World Cup, with their best finish being the quarterfinals that year. He also recently won the Golden Ball at the 2024 Copa America, where Colombia were runners-up.

His career has seen him play for top European clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, amassing numerous titles including multiple Champions League and La Liga honors. Most recently, Rodriguez played for Major League Soccer side Minnesota United, joining in February 2026.