BOGOTA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz said on Wednesday that he is considering 38 players for his squad that will travel to Brazil in June for the Copa America.
The 66-year-old said those on his longlist are among more than 1,000 Colombian footballers plying their trade in diverse professional leagues around the world.
"I have been working many hours with the coaching staff to identify players," Queiroz told reporters in Bogota, adding that the final squad of 23 would be named next month.
"I think that Colombia is currently the third country in the world in terms of emigration of professional players, after Brazil and Argentina. We have [identified] 38 players with an average of three per [outfield] position and five goalkeepers. I'm sure that we'll structure a good team."
The Copa America will be played in five Brazilian cities from June 14 to July 7.
Colombia have been drawn in Group B for the world's oldest continental tournament, alongside Argentina, Paraguay and guests Qatar. Enditem
