Why you should watch every team at the 2018 World Cup

Colombia

South America is the hardest federation to qualify from in the world. While the four teams from 10 that automatically go through from the singular group stage format — plus the fifth that advances to an inter-confederation playoff — isn’t all that threatening of a ratio, every team is very competitive, and there are no straightforward tasks. The so-called “easier games” include a trip to Bolivia, where you’re literally playing on top of a mountain.

That’s why the standings were so extremely tight going into the last day, and why Argentina (runners-up at the last World Cup) were in significant danger of dropping out completely. Copa America holders Chile would fall out of the fifth spot on goal differential to Peru, and Paraguay were two points back in seventh after their best player, Miguel Almiron, strained a hamstring in league play before the final international break. Colombia slipped in at the four spot, their draw with Peru enough to safely qualify them.

Los Cafeteros will be led again by James Rodriguez, 2014 World Cup sensation, in Russia as they look to follow up their impressive quarterfinal showing four years ago. Captain Radamel Falcao, of Monaco in Ligue 1, will lead the line alongside Villarreal’s Carlos Bacca and Sevilla’s Luis Muriel, and Tottenham’s 21-year-old defender Davinson Sanchez will enter the national team fray. With manager Jose Pekerman at the helm, they will be an interesting team, and Rodriguez, currently at Bayern Munich, will be looking to prove himself again on the international stage.