BOGOTA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Veteran striker Radamel Falcao was among 26 players named in Colombia's squad on Wednesday for South America's triple header of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October.

The 35-year-old, who is Colombia's all-time leading scorer with 35 goals in 94 matches, has scored three times in as many matches for Rayo Vallecano since joining the Spanish club from Galatasaray earlier this month.

Colombia head coach Reinaldo Rueda also recalled Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata, Everton defender Yerry Mina and Racing Genk midfielder Jhon Lucumi. The trio formed a part of Colombia's squad at this year's Copa America but missed the Cafeteros' World Cup qualifiers earlier this month because of injuries.

Rueda also included Club Brugge midfielder Eder Alvarez, who has not played for the national team since November 2017.

As expected, there was no place in the squad for former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, who has yet to play this season. The 30-year-old joined Qatari side Al Rayyan last week after parting ways with Everton.

Colombia will meet Uruguay in Montevideo on October 7 before hosting Brazil and Ecuador in Barranquilla on October 10 and 14, respectively.

The Cafeteros are currently fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 13 points from nine matches.

The top four teams will book a place at next year's World Cup in Qatar while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.

Following is the Colombia squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Aldair Quintana.

Defenders: Carlos Cuesta, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Eder Alvarez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica, Yerry Mina, Stefan Medina, William Tesillo.

Midfielders: Gustavo Cuellar, Jefferson Lerma, Juan Fernando Quintero, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Matheus Uribe, Wilmar Barrios, Yerson Candelo.

Forwards: Duvan Zapata, Radamel Falcao Garcia, Luis Diaz, Miguel Angel Borja, Rafael Santos Borre, Roger Martinez, Luis Sinisterra. Enditem

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