The Venezuela Nationla Football Team is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed La Vinotinto (The Burgundy), 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 Estadio Pueblo Nuevo, in San Cristóbal. In friendly matches they tend to rotate between the rest of the stadiums in the country.
The Unofficial Football World Championships, and the related Nasazzi’s baton title, was briefly held by Venezuela in 2006.
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 2014, they are the only CONMEBOL side to have not 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.
Venezuela Performance in the Copa America Events
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 (Japan, the United States, Australia, etc.) that the national team found incentives to increase player development and fan support.
Venezuela Nationla Football Team Copa America history
Venezuela first participated in the Copa América in 1967, and finished 5th 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 4 goals. In the 1993 series, Venezuela drew with Uruguay and the United States.
The team’s overall Copa América record has been pretty poor (goal difference 33–145 before 2011 Copa), 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. Bolivia and Uruguay. Venezuela’s 2–0 victory over Perú during the competition was its first Copa América victory since 1967.
Venezuela Nationla Football Team 2011 Copa América
At the 2011 Copa América championship, Venezuela reached the semifinals round for the first time by defeating Chile in the quarterfinal, 2–1. Despite their commanding presence against Paraguay in their semifinal, Venezuela were 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 3rd Place of Copa America 2011 at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata. Venezuela would suffer their biggest loss of the tournament, losing 4–1 to Peru and falling into 4th place overall, but it was their best ever finish at the competition.
