The Colombian Under-20 team, affectionately known as La Tricolor, has already mapping out its path to the most prestigious youth tournament in football. This squad, under the guidance of Héctor Cárdenas, is set to chase a strong run at the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, following the group stage draw that placed their campaign on course.
<pColombia was drawn into Group C, a challenging quartet that includes Senegal, Japan, and Israel. The opening match is scheduled for May 21 in La Plata, where the team will kick off its bid against Israel. The schedule promises a demanding but fair test against diverse styles, presenting an opportunity to showcase tactical flexibility and depth in the squad.
In the lead up to the knockout rounds, the coffee producing nation navigated the initial phase with a solid performance, earning two victories and a single draw. This record secured an early advancement to the Round of 16, where Slovakia stood as the opponent. The approach was clear: control the tempo, press high when needed, and rely on collective execution to create and finish chances efficiently.
Colombia produced a statement in the knockout stage with a dominant second half, sealing a 5-1 win that propelled them into the quarterfinals. There, the opponents included Italy, a side that had earlier defeated England 2-1 to reach the same stage. The encounter promised a clash of contrasting strategies, testing the Colombian side on both discipline and adaptability at a higher level of competition.
The leadership of Héctor Cárdenas has guided this generation through a schedule that mirrors their recent success in the South American Championship, a tournament hosted by Colombia that provided the team with the confidence and momentum needed to contend on the global stage. The players have demonstrated cohesion, technical quality, and a willingness to compete against diverse international styles, traits that could translate into meaningful results in Argentina.
Argentina Sub-20 World Cup 2023: when is it, venues, qualifiers, groups, fixtures and results
TABLE AND MATCHES
GROUP C
Colombian matches
The campaign is a building block for the generation ahead, where strategic planning, youth development, and match experience intersect to create a resilient team capable of competing with top youth programs around the world. The Colombian squad continues its preparation through rigorous training, scouting, and tactical refinement, aiming to translate youth success into a strong showing on the world stage.
Note: This overview reflects the latest available information on the team’s progress and upcoming fixtures in the Under-20 World Cup cycle, focusing on the players, coaching approach, and the competitive context surrounding the project.