{
  "id": 11451248,
  "title": "Lorenzo: ‘The Team Is Still Being Built’ Ahead of Colombia-Paraguay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/lorenzo-the-team-is-still-being-built-ahead-of-colombia-paraguay",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T13:39:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/10/02/lorenzo-team-is-still-being-built-colombia-paraguay/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombia's national team coach Nestor Lorenzo has stated that the team is still being built ahead of their upcoming friendly match against Paraguay in New Jersey, United States. This assessment comes as part of the ongoing rebuilding process initiated following the 2026 World Cup. The match will be the second friendly for the team, following a 1-1 draw against Mexico on September 26.\n\nLorenzo emphasized that the team is in a stage of development, highlighting that new players require time to adapt to the collective approach and for the coaching staff to determine which players will form the next cycle. He assured that the rebuilding process is natural after the changes the squad underwent following the World Cup.\n\nThe Argentine coach also noted that this process will take time, explaining, \"I'm calm because this is a team that is now being formed, with some replacements.\" He highlighted that the team includes several young players with limited international experience, aiming to observe their performances and evaluate their chances of establishing themselves in the group.\n\nFollowing the 2026 World Cup, notable players like James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero announced their retirement from the national team. The upcoming match against Paraguay, scheduled for Friday at Sports Illustrated Stadium, will be the second friendly since the World Cup. The first friendly against Mexico resulted in a 1-1 draw, allowing the coach to give playing time to several players seeking a spot on the national team.\n\nLorenzo described Paraguay as an organized side, having recently beaten Bolivia 2-0. The match against Paraguay will provide further opportunities for Lorenzo to assess the team and continue his rebuilding process, with the objective of preparing Colombia for future challenges, including the 2030 World Cup.",
  "summary": "Colombia’s national team faces another test in New Jersey this Friday as part of the rebuilding process that began after the 2026 World Cup. The team coached by Néstor Lorenzo will face Paraguay at Sports Illustrated Stadium in the second friendly of this new stage, following the 1-1 draw against Mexico. Ahead of the match, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}