Jhon Duran excluded from Colombia training sessions
An unexpected situation has emerged surrounding Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who spent the second half of the 2025/2026 season at Zenit Saint Petersburg. Reports indicate that the player will not be permitted to participate in training sessions with the Colombia national team.
Journalist Cesar Londono reported this on his X social media account. Previously, Duran had been included in Colombia's provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup. Naturally, his exclusion from training has sparked questions and various speculations among fans.
Jhon Duran played for Zenit during the second half of the season. However, it was reported in mid-May that he left the Saint Petersburg club for personal reasons. The factors behind the player's decision have not been fully disclosed, but the current situation appears to have affected his status with the national team as well.
The Colombian forward made 9 appearances for Zenit across all competitions, scoring 2 goals. These figures demonstrate the player's attacking potential, though it is evident that he lacked sufficient time for consistent match practice and adaptation to the team.
Now, the focus is on the final decision of the Colombia national team. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the condition, discipline, physical fitness, and mental stability of every player are of paramount importance. The coaching staff likely does not want to take risks before such a major tournament.
For context, Colombia has been drawn into Group K for the 2026 World Cup. In this group, the Colombians will face Portugal, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo. This is of particular interest to Uzbek fans, as every change in the Colombian squad could directly impact the Uzbekistan national team's chances in the group.
The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. There is still time before the tournament, but national teams have already begun shaping their squads, tactics, and preparation plans.
In short, the situation involving Jhon Duran has become a major talking point around the Colombia national team. He is on the provisional list, but his exclusion from training puts his place in the final squad in doubt. In football, a single decision can sometimes change the course of an entire career — for Duran, this is exactly such a delicate moment.
