Stiven Mendoza currently plays for Athletico Paranaese in the second division of Brazilian football. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Former Chennaiyin FC striker Stiven Mendoza has been named in Colombia’s 55-member preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Mendoza, who scored 13 goals for the Chennai-based side, currently plies his trade for Athletico Paranaese in the second division of Brazilian football.

Mendoza has been named alongside a number of well-known players including James Rodriguez, who was top-scorer at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and now plays for Minnesota United in USA, as well as Bayern Munich forward Luiz Diaz.

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Also included in the squad are veteran goalkeeper David Ospina, full-back Daniel Munoz, centre-backs Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, and Yerson Mosquera, and midfielder Jefferson Lerma, all of whom have played in the Premier League recently.

Colombia has been drawn in Group K along with Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Its first match is against Uzbekistan on June 17 in Mexico City.

Published on May 22, 2026