Colombia's 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games Squad
Colombia has unveiled the 24‑player roster that will represent the nation at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled to take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 31 through August 7.
The squad features the athletes who captured gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, marking the first time since the country’s 1946 triumph in Barranquilla that a Colombian team will chase a medal on foreign soil.
A Historic Opportunity
Group B will pit Colombia against Panama, Nicaragua and Mexico, a lineup that includes the defending champions from the 2018 edition, and the team’s historic medals — bronze in 2018 and a gold in 1946 — provide a backdrop of both achievement and ambition.
Among the highlighted names are Víctor Vargas, a right‑handed starter who posted a 3.88 ERA in Venezuela’s Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional this season, and Jhon Romero, a reliever with a 2.79 ERA who is expected to close games for Colombia. Ezequiel Zabaleta, a veteran reliever who contributed to the 2023 Pan American gold, also makes the cut, while former MLB infielder Carlos Arroyo, who topped the winter league with a 1.099 OPS and earned MVP honors, adds depth at the plate.
Veteran outfielder Tito Polo, who has MLB experience and is regarded as the team’s most versatile player, is slated to start in center field, giving the lineup a blend of speed and power.
The managerial reins are held by Gio Urshela, who hung up his glove after a decorated MLB career and now steps into the role of head coach, eager to guide the youngsters toward their first medal outside Barranquilla since 2018.
Colombia will open its campaign against Nicaragua on July 31, followed by matchups with Mexico on August 1 and Panama on August 2. The top three teams from Group B will advance to a super round that runs from August 3 to 5, where they will meet the Group A leaders in a bid for the podium.
With a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, the coaching staff believes the squad has the depth to break the nation’s 48‑year medal drought on foreign ground and to cement Colombia’s rising profile in regional baseball.