Venezuela national football team

Venezuela
Nickname(s) La Vinotinto
Association Federación Venezolana de Fútbol (FVF)
Confederation CONMEBOL (South America)
Head coach Rafael Dudamel
Captain Tomás Rincón
Most caps Juan Arango (129)
Top scorer Juan Arango (23)
Home stadium Estadio José Antonio Anzoátegui
Polideportivo Cachamay
Estadio Pueblo Nuevo
FIFA code VEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 32 Decrease 1 (20 September 2018)
Highest 29 (August 2014)
Lowest 129 (November 1998)
Elo ranking
Current 32 Steady (11 July 2018)
Highest 19 (17 July 2011)
Lowest 127 (1993, 1995, 1999)
First international
 Panama 3–1 Venezuela Venezuela
(Panama City, Panama; 12 February 1938)
Biggest win
Venezuela Venezuela 7–0 Puerto Rico 
(Caracas, Venezuela; 16 January 1959)
Biggest defeat
 Argentina 11–0 Venezuela Venezuela
(Rosario, Argentina; 10 August 1975)
Copa América
Appearances 17 (first in 1967)
Best result Fourth place, 2011

The Venezuela national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Venezuela) represents Venezuela in men's international association football and is controlled by the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF), the governing body for football in Venezuela. It is nicknamed Vino Tinto ("Red wine") because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts. When playing at home in official games, they usually rotate between three stadiums: The Polideportivo Cachamay in Puerto Ordaz, the Estadio José Antonio Anzoátegui in Puerto La Cruz and the Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal. In friendly matches, they tend to rotate between the rest of the stadiums in the country.

Unlike other South American nations, and akin to some Caribbean nations, baseball is extremely popular in Venezuela, which diverts athletic talent away from football, contributing to its historic lack of success in CONMEBOL competitions. As of 2018, they are the only CONMEBOL side to have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Often Venezuela would go through entire qualification tournaments without recording a single win, although this has changed in the last two qualifying rounds. Until 2011, their best finish in the Copa América was fifth in their first entry, in 1967. It is only recently with the spread of the World Cup's popularity in nations where football was not the primary sport (such as Japan, the United States, and Australia) that the national team found incentives to increase player development and fan support.

History

Backstory

Venezuela did not participate in FIFA World Cup qualification until the 1966 qualifiers in which they were drawn with Uruguay and Peru, but failed to register a point in four games. In the 1970 qualifiers they managed to register a point, and after withdrawing from the 1974 series, repeated that in the 1978 qualifiers. The 1982 qualifiers saw them register their first win, over Bolivia. They wouldn't register another World Cup qualifying win until the 1994 series when they defeated Ecuador. A highlight of the 1998 qualifiers was goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel scoring against Argentina in a 5–2 defeat.

Despite poor results during the 1960s and 1970s, outstanding players like Luis Mendoza and Rafael Santana achieved recognition.

The team failed to qualify for both the 2002, and 2006 World Cups. The latter failure resulted in the resignation of manager Richard Páez.

César Farías era

With new coach César Farías, Venezuela national team improved their performances. At the beginning of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Venezuela won its first game in World Cup qualifying against the long unbeaten Ecuador in Quito. Something similar happened to Bolivia in La Paz, where Venezuela won for the first time at Bolivian altitude. Also, they received their first point against Brazil in qualifying. Despite not ultimately reaching the 2010, Venezuela achieved their best result in qualifying. They finished this round with 22 points in 18 matches, surpassing Peru and Bolivia for eighth place in the region.

On 6 June 2008, Venezuela achieved their second-ever triumph over Brazil, defeating the Seleção 2–0 in a friendly match in Boston, United States. Venezuela obtained excellent results in the 2011 Copa América when they finished fourth, their highest finish in the tournament to date. With a squad composed mostly of players playing in Europe, they began 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification with a historic result (1–0) against Argentina in Puerto La Cruz, beating the Argentines for the first time.

Noel Sanvicente era

On 4 September 2014, Noel Sanvicente was made coach of the Venezuela national team.[1] On 5 September 2014, the team lost its first match with Sanvicente under the helm 3–1 against South Korea in Bucheon.[2]

Sanvicente's first tournament came in the 2015 Copa América, with Venezuela drawn in Group C of the competition. Their opening game finished with an upset victory over tournament favorites Colombia by 1–0, but subsequent defeats to Peru and Brazil saw La Vinotinto eliminated.

Venezuela began the World Cup qualification campaign with a 1–0 defeat against Paraguay at home, and would not earn their first point until their match against Peru, a 2–2 draw in Lima where Venezuela led until the last minute of stoppage time. Their match with Chile ended in a disappointing 4–1 defeat, Sanvicente announced his resignation a week later after mutual consent with the FVF. At the time of Sanvicente's departure, Venezuela was last in the qualification standings with a sole point.

Rafael Dudamel era

Sanvicente was replaced by former Vinotinto goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel. Under his coaching, La Vinotinto quickly improved and reached the quarterfinals in the Copa América Centenario, with two 1–0 wins over Jamaica and Uruguay and a 1–1 draw against Mexico in the group stage and then a 4–1 defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals. In the 7th matchday of the 2018 World Cup qualifier, Venezuela lost to Colombia 2–0 in Barranquilla, the first loss against Los Cafeteros since 2009. Later, on matchday 11, Venezuela won for the first time in the qualifier, 5–0 over Bolivia in Maturín with a hat-trick from Josef Martínez and goals from Jacobo Kouffati and Rómulo Otero.

Copa América history

Venezuela first participated in the Copa América in 1967, and finished fifth after defeating Bolivia 3–0 with a side containing Mendoza and Santana. The 1975 tournament saw Venezuela drawn in a group with Brazil and Argentina, and finished bottom with an 11–0 defeat to Argentina. In the 1979 edition, which would be the international swansong for Mendoza and Santana, they drew 0–0 with Colombia and 1–1 with Chile. A highlight of the 1989 tournament was midfielder Carlos Maldonado's four goals. In the 1993 series, Venezuela drew with Uruguay and the United States.

The team's overall Copa América record has been relatively poor (goal difference 33–145 before the 2011 Copa América), but the "Auge Vinotinto" (Vinotinto Rise) period in the early 2000s (decade) brought increased attention to the sport in the country, which in turn brought increased support from both government and private institutions. Said support contributed greatly to the "Vinotinto's" rise in quality. In 2007, during the Copa América held in Venezuela, the team progressed to the quarterfinals for the first time in its history after finishing first in a group containing Peru, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Venezuela's 2–0 victory over Peru during the competition was its first Copa América victory since 1967.

2011 Copa América

At the 2011 Copa América championship, Venezuela reached the semi-finals round for the first time by defeating Chile in the quarter-final, 2–1. Despite their commanding presence against Paraguay in their semifinal, Venezuela was unable to convert their chances into goals. They would eventually lose 5–3 to Paraguay in a penalty shootout after remaining scoreless in normal and extra time. Venezuela and Peru played for third place at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, where Venezuela would suffer their biggest loss of the tournament, losing 4–1 to Peru and falling into fourth place overall. Nonetheless, it was their best ever finish at the competition.

Group B:

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Brazil 312064+25
 Venezuela 312043+15
 Paraguay 30305503
 Ecuador 301225−31

Results:

Historical kits

(1926)
(1967)
(1970)
(1977)
(1979)
(1981)
(1982)
(1986)
(1989)
(1990)
(1993)
(1994)
(1995)
(1996)
(1997)
(1998)
(1999)
(1999)
(2001)
(2004)
(2005)
(2007)
(2010)
(2011)
(2011– 2013)
(2014– 2017)

Current status

Recent and forthcoming matches

Matches from the past 12 months as well as any future scheduled matches.

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players have been called up for the Friendly matche againts  United Arab Emirates on 16 October, 2018.
Caps and goals are correct as of 12 October 2018, during the game against Basque Country.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Wuilker Faríñez (1998-02-15) 15 February 1998 9 0 Colombia Millonarios
1GK Rafael Romo (1990-02-25) 25 February 1990 10 0 Cyprus APOEL
2DF Roberto Rosales (1988-11-20) 20 November 1988 69 0 Spain Espanyol
2DF Wilker Ángel (1993-03-18) 18 March 1993 21 2 Russia Akhmat Grozny
2DF Rolf Feltscher (1990-10-06) 6 October 1990 19 0 United States LA Galaxy
2DF Jhon Chancellor (1992-01-02) 2 January 1992 7 0 Russia Anzhi Makhachkala
2DF Yordan Osorio (1994-06-11) 11 June 1994 5 0 Portugal Vitória de Guimarães
2DF Luis Mago (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 3 0 Venezuela Carabobo
2DF Ronald Hernández (1997-10-04) 4 October 1997 2 0 Norway Stabæk
2DF Nahuel Ferraresi (1998-11-19) 19 November 1998 0 0 Spain Peralada
3MF Tomás Rincón (Captain) (1988-01-13) 13 January 1988 89 0 Italy Torino
3MF Rómulo Otero (1992-11-09) 9 November 1992 30 6 Saudi Arabia Al-Wehda
3MF Arquímedes Figuera (1989-10-06) 6 October 1989 24 1 Peru Universitario
3MF Jhon Murillo (1995-11-21) 21 November 1995 15 2 Portugal Tondela
3MF Adalberto Peñaranda (1997-05-31) 31 May 1997 13 0 England Watford
3MF Júnior Moreno (1993-07-20) 20 July 1993 7 1 United States D.C. United
3MF Jefferson Savarino (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 4 0 United States Real Salt Lake
3MF Aristóteles Romero (1995-10-18) 18 October 1995 3 1 Italy Crotone
3MF Eduard Bello (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 2 0 Chile Antofagasta
4FW Andrés Ponce (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 6 1 Russia Anzhi Makhachkala
4FW Jhonder Cádiz (1995-07-29) 29 July 1995 0 0 Portugal Vitória de Setúbal
4FW Ronaldo Peña (1997-03-10) 10 March 1997 0 0 United States Houston Dynamo

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK José Contreras (1994-10-20) 20 October 1994 6 0 France Châteauroux v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
DF Mikel VillanuevaINJ (1993-04-14) 14 April 1993 17 2 Spain Reus v.  Basque Country, 12 October 2018
DF Alexander GonzálezINJ (1992-09-13) 13 September 1992 46 1 Spain Elche v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
DF Pablo Camacho (1990-10-12) 12 October 1990 4 0 Venezuela Deportivo Táchira v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
DF Víctor Hugo García (1994-06-11) 11 June 1994 8 0 Portugal Vitória de Guimarães v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
DF Rubert Quijada (1989-02-10) 10 February 1989 7 0 Venezuela Caracas v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
DF José Hernández (1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 0 0 United States Atlanta United v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
MF Sergio CórdovaINJ (1997-08-09) 9 August 1997 6 0 Germany FC Augsburg v.  Basque Country, 12 October 2018
MF Ágnel Flores (1989-05-29) 29 May 1989 15 0 Venezuela Monagas v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
MF Luis González (1990-12-22) 22 December 1990 6 0 Colombia Deportes Tolima v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
MF Ronaldo Lucena (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 2 0 Venezuela Deportivo Táchira v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
MF Juan Pablo Añor (1994-01-24) 24 January 1994 12 1 Spain Málaga v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
MF Yeferson Soteldo (1997-06-30) 30 June 1997 6 0 Chile Universidad de Chile v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
MF Yangel Herrera (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 6 1 United States New York City v.  Iran, 13 November 2017
FW Josef Martínez (1993-05-19) 19 May 1993 44 9 United States Atlanta United v.  Basque Country, 12 October 2018
FW Darwin MachísINJ (1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 10 1 Italy Udinese v.  Basque Country, 12 October 2018
FW Salomón RondónINJ (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 68 21 England Newcastle United v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
FW Fernando Aristeguieta (1992-04-09) 9 April 1992 15 1 Colombia América de Cali v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
FW Christian Santos (1988-03-24) 24 March 1988 13 1 Spain Deportivo La Coruña v.  Panama, 11 September 2018
FW Anthony Blondell (1994-05-17) 17 May 1994 1 0 Canada Vancouver Whitecaps v.  Iran, 13 November 2017

Records

Most caps

Midfielder Juan Arango had played the most matches for Venezuela: 129 between 1999 and 2015.

Blue highlights denotes active players.

Position Name Period Caps Goals
1Juan Arango1999–201512923
2José Manuel Rey1997–201111111
3Tomás Rincón2008–890
4Jorge Alberto Rojas1999–2009883
5Miguel Mea Vitali1999–2012841
6Oswaldo Vizcarrondo2004–828
7Gabriel Urdaneta1996–2005769
8Luis Vallenilla1996–2007751
9Roberto Rosales2007–690
10Salomón Rondón2008–6821
As of 12 October 2018 (UTC)[3]

Top scorers

Blue highlights denotes active players.

Position Name Period Goals Caps Goals/Caps Ratio
1Juan Arango1999-2015231290.18
2Giancarlo Maldonado2003–201122650.33
3Salomón Rondón2008–21680.31
4Ruberth Morán1996–200716620.22
5José Manuel Rey1997–2011111110.10
6Nicolás Fedor2006–201511510.21
7Daniel Arismendi2006–201110300.30
8Gabriel Urdaneta1996–20059760.12
Josef Martínez2011–9440.20
10Oswaldo Vizcarrondo2004–8820.10
As of 12 October 2018[4]

Competitive record

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Did not enter Declined participation
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958 Withdrew Withdrew
Chile 1962 Did not enter Declined participation
England 1966 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 4 15
Mexico 1970 6 0 1 5 1 18
West Germany 1974 Withdrew Withdrew
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 2 8
Spain 1982 4 1 0 3 1 9
Mexico 1986 6 0 1 5 5 15
Italy 1990 4 0 0 4 1 18
United States 1994 8 1 0 7 4 34
France 1998 16 0 3 13 8 41
South Korea Japan 2002 18 5 1 12 18 44
Germany 2006 18 5 3 10 20 28
South Africa 2010 18 6 4 8 23 29
Brazil 2014 16 5 5 6 14 20
Russia 2018 18 2 6 10 19 35
Qatar 2022 To be determined To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026
Total 0/23 140 25 25 90 120 315

Head to head

Copa América record

Copa América
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1916-63Did not enter
Uruguay 1967Final Round5th5104716
South America 1975Group Stage10th4004126
South America 197910th4022112
South America 198310th4013110
Argentina 198710th200218
Brazil 198910th4013411
Chile 199110th4004115
Ecuador 199311th3021611
Uruguay 199512th3003410
Bolivia 199712th300305
Paraguay 199912th3003113
Colombia 200112th300307
Peru 200411th301225
Venezuela 2007Quarter-Finals6th412156
Argentina 2011Fourth place4th623178
Chile 2015Group Stage9th310223
United States 2016Quarter-Finals6th412145
Brazil 2019To be determined
Ecuador 2023
Total0 title17/17626144247171

Pan American Games record

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Argentina 1951 - Fourth place 4 1 0 3 5 14
Mexico 1955 - Fourth place 6 1 2 3 9 20
United States 1959 Did not compete
Brazil 1963
Canada 1967
Colombia 1971
Mexico 1975
Puerto Rico 1979
Venezuela 1983 Round 1 7th place 2 1 0 1 3 3
United States 1987 Did not compete
Cuba 1991
Argentina 1995
Canada 1999
Dominican Republic 2003
Brazil 2007 Round 1 12th place 3 0 0 3 1 6
Mexico 2011 Did not compete
Canada 2015
Peru 2019 To be determined

References

  1. ↑ FIFA.com. "Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – FIFA.com". fifa.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Korea Republic 3 – 1 Venezuela Match report – 9/5/14 Friendlies – Goal.com". goal.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Luis Fernando Passo Alpuin. "Appearances for Venezuela National Team". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Luis Fernando Passo Alpuin. "Goals for Venezuela National Team". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
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