Venezuela National Football Team

The Venezuela National Football Team is the national football team of Venezuela and is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed 'La Vinotinto' (The Burgundy), because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts.

Venezuela is the only national team in CONMEBOL which has never qualified for a 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. Their best finish in Copa América was fifth in their first entry, in 1967.

When playing at home in official games they usually rotate between two stadiums: the Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, in San Cristóbal; the Estadio José Encarnación "Pachencho" Romero, in Maracaibo. In friendly matches they tend to rotate between the rest of the stadiums in the country.

The Unofficial Football World Championship, and the related Nasazzi's baton title, was briefly held by Venezuela in 2006.

Unlike other South American nations, baseball is extremely popular in Venezuela, which may divert athletic talent away from football, contributing to its historic lack of success in CONMEBOL competitions.


Competitive Record

FIFA World Cup record
1930 to 1954 - Did not enter
1958 - Withdrew
1962 - Did not enter
1966 - Did not qualify
1970 - Did not qualify
1974 - Withdrew
1978 to 2006 - Did not qualify

Copa América record
1916 to 1963 - Did not enter
1967 - 5th place
1975 - Round 1
1979 - Round 1
1983 - Round 1
1987 - Round 1
1989 - Round 1
1991 - Round 1
1993 - Round 1 (overall 11th place)
1995 - Round 1 (overall 12th place)
1997 - Round 1 (overall 12th place)
1999 - Round 1 (overall 12th place)
2001 - Round 1 (overall 12th place)
2004 - Round 1 (overall 11th place)
2007 - Quarterfinals (overall 6th place)

Pan American Games record
1951 - Fourth place
1955 - Fourth place
1959 to 1979 - Did not compete
1983 - Round 1
1987 to 2003 - Did not compete