Colombia plays Honduras in Fort Lauderdale Sunday to prep for World Cup qualifying
The Colombian national team has two critical World Cup qualifiers coming up and will prepare for those matches with a friendly against Honduras Sunday at 5 p.m. at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
With four games left in the 18-game South American qualifying rounds Colombia is in fourth place, the final spot for an automatic World Cup bid to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “Los Cafeteros,” as the team is known, host Peru on Jan. 28 and play on the road against Argentina on Feb. 1.
Brazil is in first place with 35 points, Argentina in second at 29, and Ecuador third at 23. Colombia and Peru are tied with 17 points but Colombia has the edge in goal differential.
Colombia’s roster for the Sunday friendly is missing most of the Europe-based players but includes first team regulars Fredy Hinestroza Arias, Juan Fernando Quintero Paniagua and Miguel Angel Borja Hernandez. Portland Timbers mid-fielder Yimmi Chara Zamora and Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade also got call-ups.
Cristian Arango, a rising star at Los Angeles FC, was on the roster but dropped after he tested positive for COVID last week.
The Honduras roster includes captain Maynor Figueroa with over 160 appearances and Luis Lopez, goalkeeper and captain for Real España.
“We’re very happy to be coming back to Florida. It will be great to see Colombia’s many fans once again. We’re looking forward to a great match against Honduras,” said Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda.
“We are really happy to bring the Honduras national team to Fort Lauderdale for you all to see our match against Colombia and for you to support us,” said Honduran coach Hernan Dario Gomez.
Tickets are $40 and available through ticketmaster.com
