Juan Fernando Quintero stayed on the bench for all 90 minutes as Colombia opened the Mundial 2026 with a narrow win over Uzbekistán. The midfielder saw no action in a match that also featured James Rodríguez in the starting XI.
That is the point fans have been circling for months. Quintero has been a substitute in Colombia's last 11 matches, started only one, and in 2026 he has not opened any of the pre-World Cup friendlies.
James Rodríguez Starts, Campaz Enters
Néstor Lorenzo kept the same basic pattern in the opener. Kevin Castaño entered in the second half, and Jaminton Campaz came on when James Rodríguez began to ask for a substitution.
The selection choice left Quintero outside the contest from first whistle to last. James started despite being far from his best level, while Quintero remained unused again.
Quintero's Minutes Keep Shrinking
The bench role did not begin in the World Cup. At the Copa América 2024, Quintero was a substitute in all six Colombia matches.
His minutes there were scattered and thin: 1 minute against Paraguay, 17 minutes against Panamá in the quarterfinals, no action against Costa Rica and Colombia, no action against Uruguay in the semifinals, and only extra time in the final against Argentina. The pattern now stretches across competition and year, not just one lineup decision.
Colombia Leaves One Open Question
For Colombia, the opener did not change the basic debate around the role of its most watched attacking reserve. Fans who want Quintero to start ahead of James still have the same argument, and Lorenzo has not used the opener to answer it.
Why he stayed unused against Uzbekistán is the question hanging over the bench. For now, the numbers say the same thing they did before kickoff: Colombia is carrying Quintero, but not giving him many minutes.
