James returns to Colombia squad
Colombia vice-captain James Rodriguez returns for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but Radamel misses out through injury.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UEfzpEfdRtMCn7J9yiKUEd.jpg)
Colombia welcome back James Rodriguez for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Argentina after the Real Madrid midfielder was named in Jose Pekerman's squad.
James has not played for club or country since suffering a muscle injury in Colombia's friendly against Peru in September but the vice-captain has been included in Pekerman's 26-man roster.
The 24-year-old, who missed last month's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru and the 3-0 loss in Uruguay, was an unused sub in Madrid's Champions League fixture midweek but is expected to feature against 2015 Copa America champions Chile on November 12 and at home to Argentina five days later.
Colombia will be without Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao for the two qualifiers due to a muscular injury, but uncapped Olympiacos frontman Felipe Pardo gets a chance.
There are five other debutants in the squad, with Daniel Torres, Helibelton Palacios, Bernardo Espinosa, Francisco Meza and Cristiano Bonillo included.
Colombia are sixth in the CONMEBOL section of qualifying on three points, a win adrift of Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile after two matches.
Squad in full: Cristian Bonilla (La Equidad) David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Atletico Nacional); Santiago Arias (PSV), Bernardo Espinosa (Sporting Gijon), Frank Fabra (Medellin), Francisco Meza (Santa Fe), Johan Mojica (Real Valladolid), Jeison Murillo (Inter), Helibelton Palacios (Deportivo Cali), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan); Carlos Carbonero (Sampdoria), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Fredy Guarin (Inter), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Juan Fernando Quintero (Rennes), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Daniel Torres (Medellin), Macnelly Torres (Atletico Nacional); Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Teofilo Gutierrez (Sporting CP), Jackson Martinez (Atletico Madrid), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sampdoria), Felipe Pardo (Olympiacos) Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund)
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack