One of the biggest recent stories from Venezuela came on 24 June, when a powerful earthquake struck the country during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Venezuela were not taking part in the tournament, but moments of silence were subsequently observed before kick-off at venues in memory of the victims.

Baseball has traditionally been one of the most popular sports in Venezuela. In football, meanwhile, the country remains the only one of CONMEBOL’s 10 member associations never to have appeared at the FIFA World Cup™. Nicknamed “La Vinotinto” (the Red Wine) after the colour of their shirts, the national team spent many years near the bottom of the South American qualifying standings. Their fortunes began to improve after the turn of the century, however. In qualifying for the 2014 tournament in Brazil, they defeated Argentina at home and finished sixth out of nine teams, coming close to reaching the intercontinental play-offs.

Venezuela also remained in contention for a first World Cup appearance until the final round of qualifying for the 2026 tournament. They went into their last match in seventh place, which would have secured a place in the intercontinental play-offs, but suffered a 6-3 home defeat to Colombia. With eighth-placed Bolivia beating Brazil 1-0, the two sides swapped places on the final day, and Venezuela once again missed out on their long-awaited first appearance at the World Cup.

A new chapter began in January this year with the appointment of former Venezuela international defender Oswaldo VIZCARRONDO as head coach. The Venezuelan Football Association quoted Vizcarrondo as saying that he had worn the national team badge since his U-15 days and that this experience would help him pass on the team’s identity, values and attachment to the shirt.

Alongside his appointment, the association announced “Camino Vinotinto 2026–2034”, an eight-year project setting out a long-term direction for Venezuela’s men’s national teams. One of its objectives is to take the senior national team to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time.

Venezuela have more than held their own in their previous meetings with Japan, with the head-to-head record standing at one win, three draws and one defeat. Japan’s only official victory, however, came in unusual circumstances. Their KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2014 encounter originally finished 2-2, but FIFA later awarded Japan a 3-0 win after Venezuela were found to have fielded a suspended player. Vizcarrondo, now the national team’s head coach, played a key role in Venezuela’s defence in that match.

The teams last met in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP in November 2019, when Venezuela made effective use of attacks down the flanks to score four first-half goals on their way to a 4-1 victory. All five previous meetings have taken place in Japan — and therefore away from home for Venezuela — making their record against Japan all the more notable.

Results of last 5 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan

1 win, 3 draws, 1 loss (8 goals for, 5 goals against)

※The match originally finished 2-2, but it was later found that Venezuela had fielded a player who was serving a suspension. FIFA subsequently awarded Japan a 3-0 victory. Individual appearance records and other match records remain valid.

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: None
*Venezuela affiliated with FIFA in 1952

1954　Did not participate
1958　Did not participate
1962　Did not participate
1966　Eliminated in the qualifier
1970　Eliminated in the qualifier
1974　Did not participate
1978　Eliminated in the qualifier
1982　Eliminated in the qualifier
1986　Eliminated in the qualifier
1990　Eliminated in the qualifier
1994　Eliminated in the qualifier
1998　Eliminated in the qualifier
2002　Eliminated in the qualifier
2006　Eliminated in the qualifier
2010　Eliminated in the qualifier
2014　Eliminated in the qualifier
2018　Eliminated in the qualifier
2022　Eliminated in the qualifier
2026　Eliminated in the qualifier

Data on the opposing country

◇FIFA Rankings (as of 20 July 2026): 47th
◇Record against Japan: 1 win, 3 draws, 1 loss (8 goals for, 5 goals against)

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