Héctor Cárdenas has outlined the 21 players who will form the Colombia squad for the World Cup in Argentina.
The Sub 20 World Cup in Argentina represents a significant milestone for the Tricolor, not only to secure a commendable performance but also to establish a core group of talents who have already gained valuable experience in Colombian football and abroad. This tournament is viewed as an opportunity to reinforce the program’s pipeline and showcase players ready to contribute at higher levels in the future.
Coach Héctor Fabio Cárdenas began by inviting a larger group of 25 pre-selected athletes in Cali to train together before trimming the roster for the championship. The process emphasized development, consistency, and readiness, with the aim of presenting a cohesive team that can adapt to different opponents and match situations on South American soil.
Under the leadership of Yasser Asprilla, Miguel Ángel Monsalve, Daniel Luna, Oscar Cortés, Daniel Mantilla, Tomas Ángel, and other key contributors, Colombia seeks to translate the strong performances witnessed across the continent into tangible success for the national program. The objective is to consolidate the gains achieved in regional tournaments and to deliver a performance that lifts the national spirit through engaging, competitive football.
Two early setbacks tested the squad’s resilience. The federation confirmed that Isaac Zuleta would not participate due to injury, and John Jader Durán would be unavailable after not being loaned to the tournament by Aston Villa. These changes underscore the realities of squad selection, where health and club commitments can shape the final composition just as much as talent and potential does.
The final World Cup roster was announced by Cárdenas on Tuesday, May 9, signaling the culmination of months of scouting, assessment, and strategic planning. The list reflects a balance between emerging stars and players with international experience, aiming to maximize both upside and reliability on the field.
Colombia’s Sub 20 World Cup 2023 squad in Argentina: fixtures, opponents, and results
Colombia’s Sub 20 World Cup 2023 squad
- ALEXEI ROJAS FEDORUSHCHENKO – Arsenal FC (ENG)
- ALEXIS CASTILLO MANYOMA – Cortuluá
- ANDRÉS SALAZAR OSORIO – National Athletics
- DANIEL ANDRÉS LUNA GARCÍA – Mallorca FC (ESP)
- DANIEL ESTEBAN PEDROZO MARTINEZ – Real Cartagena FC
- DEVAN AUSTIN TANTON PEDRAZA – Fulham FC (ENG)
- ÉDIER OCAMPO VIDAL – National Athletics
- FERNANDO ANTONIO ALVAREZ – Pachuca SC (MEX)
- GUSTAVO ADOLFO PUERTA MOLANO – 1. FC Nuremberg (GER)
- JHOJAN CAMILO TORRES GUAZA – Independiente Santa Fe
- JHON JAIDER VELEZ CAREY – Junior FC
- JORGE LEGUÍN CABEZAS HURTADO – Independiente Medellín
- JUAN ANDRES CASTILLA LOZANO – Houston Dynamo FC (USA)
- JUAN DIEGO CASTILLO REYES – CEIF Fort
- JULIÁN ANDRES PALACIOS ISAZA – Envigado FC
- KEVIN ANDRÉS MANTILLA CAMARGO – Independiente Santa Fe
- LUIS MIGUEL MARQUINES PRECIADO – National Athletics
- MIGUEL ÁNGEL MONSALVE GONZÁLEZ – Deportivo Independiente Medellín
- ÓSCAR MANUEL CORTES CORTES – Millonarios FC
- TOMAS ANGEL GUTIERREZ – Atlético Nacional
- YASSER ESNEIDER ASPRILLA MARTÍNEZ – Watford FC (ENG)
Technical staff
• HÉCTOR FABIO CÁRDENAS BERRÍO – Technical Director
• FREDY HURTADO ABADIA – Technical Assistant
• JUAN CARLOS RAMÍREZ AYALA – Technical assistant
• MAURICIO ORTIZ GARCÍA – Physical Trainer
• BREINER CASTILLO CAICEDO – Goalkeeper Coach
• HAROLDO YEPES BARON – Doctor
• JAFETH OREJUELA – Kinesiologist
• DIEGO PEÑALOZA VILLAMIZAR – Physiotherapist
• HEYNAR YADIR ZORRILLA – Physiotherapist
• JORGE ANDRÉS ROZO – Video Analyst
• RAFAEL ZABARAÍN – Psychologist
• MANUEL DOLORES DÍAZ – Props
They are the 21 selections chosen by Héctor Cárdenas to represent the country in the World Cup in Argentina. #TodosSomosColombia
– Colombian national team (@FCFSeleccionCol) May 10, 2023
Source: Goal