FIFA Ranking: 8 (Last Updated 05 Jun 2014)
History: With the exception of Italy 1990, where Colombia slipped up against unfancied Cameroon in the Round of 16, they have never made it past the group stage at the FIFA World Cup. In fact, an overview of the other three campaigns reveals a disappointing combined record of six defeats, one draw and just two wins at the biggest stage in world football.
The nation still carries painful memories of 1994 when defender Andres Escobar was murdered in his hometown of Medellin after scoring a crucial own goal at the tournament.
Qualifying report: Colombia finished a close second to Argentina in their group. Their haul of 30 points from 16 games represented their best ever return. Outstanding performances included a 4-0 win at home to Uruguay and 3-1 win in Chile, plus a gritty goalless draw away in Argentina
Star Players: Radamel Falcao`s unavailability due to injury, makes James Rodriguez the main target man for the team. He is an attacking midfielder/winger. His play making skills have led many to consider him to be the successor of Colombian icon Carlos Valderrama. He plays alongside Falcao for Monaco (France) in club level. The 23-year-old former Porto star is pivotal in Colombia`s fortunes as he has the ability to pick out a brilliant pass.
Top scorer at the Cup: Bernardo Redin (2)
Most World Cup caps: Carlos Valderrama (10)
Team record at the Cup: M: 13, W: 3, D: 2, L: 8
Coach: Jose Pekerman is Colombia`s first foreign coach in 30 years. He has been credited for having won Colombia`s pride back and has earned praises from all corners. He led his native country Argentina to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals. Pekerman replaced Leonel Alvarez as Colombia`s coach in 2013 after the latter made a slow start in the qualification process for Brazil.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe)
Defenders: Mario Yepes (Atalanta), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Pablo Armero (West Ham)
Midfielders: Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional)
Forwards: Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Group listing: Group C, along with Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan.
Fixtures:
June 14: Colombia v Greece, Belo Horizonte
June 19: Colombia v Ivory Coast, Brasilia
June 24: Japan v Colombia, Cuiaba